Life/Death: Dipping Our Toes in the Water

Life /Death…dipping our toes in the water…, 2^nd edition, authored by Bonnie Luft and Regina Easley-Young, is written in a practical and useful format with the hopes that it will provide beneficial and insightful information about the one universal experience that we all will share…death. This book is not intended to be merely a textbook that contains facts to memorize. Rather, it is aimed at assisting the learner with the adventure of exploring not only this engaging field of study, but also the adventure of exploring his or her own life. As such, it is to be a springboard for discussion and reflection, both for groups and for individuals. In addition to being used in a variety of educational settings such as colleges and universities, it can also be used in settings like hospitals, hospices, non-profit organizations, and possibly even some secondary schools.

It goes without saying that the field of death education is far broader than written within these pages. In making this acknowledgement, however, we have selected themes and provided resources that we trust will enhance knowledge, arouse curiosity, and supply useful tools that can be used throughout one’s life. Our hope is for the reader to gain academic and intellectual learning, as well as to foster a deep and enriched understanding of how life and death reflect one another. By gradually “dipping our toes in the water,” there is the possibility of creating a more mature and reflective attitude on this sensitive subject.

Each page is perforated and each chapter is organized to include a read, reflect, react, and recommended terms/important people/website section:

READ: This section presents fundamental and professional background information, conversations, helpful techniques, as well as stories on each selected topic, and provides wider margins for taking notes.

REFLECT: This section presents insightful questions and thoughtful quotes that encourage one to reflect on their innermost feelings concerning life and death.

REACT: This section provides hands-on activities that support the reading material.

RECOMMENDED TERMS/IMPORTANT PEOPLE/WEBSITES: This section presents a quick reference of terms from the READ section, names of well-known individuals in the field, and websites that can be used for gaining additional information.