Finding the right words to say when someone experiences a loss can be challenging. We know that offering comfort is important, but many people worry about saying the wrong thing. In recognition of National Grief Awareness Day and inspired by…

One year ago, on this very day, my world shattered into a million pieces as I said goodbye to my mother, Betty Hammer. She was not just a mother to me, but the light of my life, a guardian angel…

It’s okay not to be okay. It is natural for the holidays to bring up memories of loved ones lost as it is a time focused on togetherness. The absence of what is lost can often feel all-consuming. Whether your…

One of the many effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic has been the recognition of the necessity for advance care planning and the benefits of doing so. More patients are dying every day in isolation and suffering from serious illnesses.…

Surgeon, a public health researcher, and author Atul Gawande is inspiring end-of-life conversations with his bestselling book, Being Mortal. The book, which was also turned into a documentary shown on PBS’s Frontline, continues to be an integral part of a…

There’s a saying along the lines that there are only two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. Sure, a lot of people manage to evade the latter, but the former is something that every living being has…

A sociologist makes the case for embracing this period as a distinct life stage. Deborah Carr, professor, and chair of the sociology department at Boston University, has spent much of her career studying death and dying. That expertise led, in…

With strict social distancing guidelines in place for everyday living including banning gatherings of more than 10 people, what happens when you have a loved one who has died but you can’t attend the funeral or memorial? How can a…

The holidays are just around the corner and they’re a time of important traditions for many families. Some grieving families find comfort in those traditions, but others may find them too painful. For example, if a parent has passed and…

The holidays can be challenging for people who have a terminally ill loved one. During the holidays we are accustomed to finding ourselves surrounded by the love and warmth of family and friends. We cherish the depth and beauty of these connections…