We all know how this ends

Louise Winter is a progressive funeral director. Together with Anna Lyons, an end-of-life doula, she is behind the book We All Know How This Ends, and the Life. Death. Whatever, initiative, a new approach to death and dying. Their joint mission is to redesign the dialogue around death and dying, to open it up and to find new approaches to this important subject. They believe that death is a normal part of life and dying is part of living. Acknowledging and accepting that one day we will die is fundamental to living a full life.Anna Lyons is an end-of-life doula. Together with Louise Winter, a progressive funeral director, she is behind the book We All Know How This Ends, and the Life. Death. Whatever, initiative, a new approach to death and dying. Their joint mission is to redesign the dialogue around death and dying, to open it up and to find new approaches to this important subject. They believe that death is a normal part of life and dying is part of living. Acknowledging and accepting that one day we will die is fundamental to living a full life.

• IntroductionThis book begins at the endWe really need to talk about death and dyingWhy we really don’t want to talk about itThe Life. Death. Whatever. manifestoWhat is Five Things?What is Unsaid?Death & dyingCan doulas be part of the future of end-of-life care?Why I became an end-of-life doulaHow to become an end-of-life doulaWhat does a good doula look like?From doula to patient and back againWhen you’re first diagnosedDebunking the myths of palliative care and hospicesGetting the most from your consultations with your doctor and specialistSex and intimacy are still just as important when you’re unwellDying doesn’t look like it does in the moviesHow to be there for someone when they are dyingPreparing for death: doing your death adminMaking funeral arrangements in advanceDifferent places to dieCOVID-19: A pandemic in our lifetime‘Out of order’ deathBaby AmyThe toll illness can take on relationshipsAssisted dyingA matter of life and deathThe undeniable beauty in the impermanence of lifeFuneralsWhy I became a funeral directorNot all funeral directors are the sameHow to choose a funeral directorDIY funeralsSeeing the person who has died can be a profound and meaningful experienceWhat really happens after someone has died?Why would I want to see someone after they’ve died?Allowing children to do what is right for themWhy funerals really matterHow to have a good funeralFunerals & COVID-19Planning your own funeralAsk a funeral director anythingA truly poetic endingGriefWhat is grief?Your life after their death – the things we want you to know about griefGrowing around griefGrief SOSHow to support a grieving friendWhat to say when you don’t know what to say When a partner diesGrief lasts a lifetimeWe need to talkHow to talk about death and dyingHow to talk to children about death, dying and griefAll that’s left UnsaidWords left unspokenLife & livingRegretThis could be the last timeThe essentials of self-careKintsugi: emotional damage and repairEverything we’ve learned about life and living from working with death and dyingGet involved with Life. Death. Whatever.The dictionary of death & dyingResources & recommended readingAcknowledgementsIndexAbout the authors

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