Dying Alone: Challenging Assumptions

The cultural script that assumes dying alone is a bad way to die is examined in this book,challenging the long-held assumption that the dying person should be accompanied. It questions whose interests are best served by the accompaniment of dying people, whether dying alone means dying lonely, and whether it can be a choice and offer a good death for some individuals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The prevailing notion that dying alone is an unfavorable outcome and that the presence of loved ones is essential for a dignified death is challenged in this thought-provoking book. This assumption is often depicted in the deathbed scenario, where the dying individual receives support from religious or medical professionals, along with the comforting presence of family and friends. This familiar scene permeates various forms of cultural expression, including news media, fiction, television, drama, and documentaries. By examining the cultural script that underpins this assumption, the book sheds light on the meaning of dying alone. It explores whether it refers to being alone at the exact moment of death or encompasses the period preceding it. It also raises important questions about whose interests are served by the accompaniment of dying individuals, whether dying alone equates to loneliness, and whether certain individuals may choose to die alone as a way to achieve a good death. This book is an invaluable resource for scholars and students studying dying and death, as well as practitioners who work closely with the dying, including those who may prefer to be alone during their final moments.

Weight: 313g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030927608
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022