Attending the Dying: A Handbook of Practical Guidelines

by Megory Anderson

Megory Anderson was called to a vigil at the bedside of a friend who was dying one night. That experience was so powerful that she began working with others who needed help attending to those who were dying. Today Anderson is the executive director of the Sacred Dying Foundation in San Francisco, and trains others in the art of "vigiling," a way of attending to the needs of the dying.

This practical and concise handbook provides a brief overview of what to expect and how to respond to the needs of someone who is dying. Attending the Dying can be used by and for people of any faith perspective, as well as no particular faith. Chaplains, social workers, hospital-care workers, and friends or family of the dying will all find this a helpful companion for preparing themselves to be present to one of life's most sacred transitions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Grief

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cosette]

This handbook is for Christian pastoral care workers supporting people who are actively dying. I'm not Christian, and I still found this book very good. It's easy to replace Scripture with poetry or sacred space with quiet space, and knowing the signs of active dying and how to have challenging conversations is the same regardless of religion. It's only 120 pages, and it was easy to read.

[Nathan Hoyt]

This seems like a good book for a minister that doesn't feel ready to work with those in their congregation facing death.

It is good to see that more are focusing on how to have a good (better?) death, but it seems this is coming right as younger cohorts are running away from religion. We still have much work to do in this area.

[Mickaylee Shaughnessy]

I struggled with how to rate this book because I really didn't get what I wanted out of it at all, but my expectations may have been wrong. It is probably a very helpful book for anyone in ministry looking to improve their work, though. Not so much if you're an agnostic with a sick Dad.

[Andrea L Tackett]

An invaluable tool for chaplains and other ministers called to sit with the dying and their loved ones. Practical, hands-on, and full of creative suggestions, you will find yourself returning to this guide again and again. Includes personal suggestions for every minister's much needed self-care, as well as deeply personal touches for the dying and their loved ones. A quick read, it is one you will want to revisit.

[Naomi]

An advice manual for the professional religious caregiver, this fine little volume quickly orients the religious professional to what is spiritual necessary and helpful. Recommended for religious professionals.