Subject Guide:
Death and Dying
This guide covers the subjects of death and dying. The objectives of this guide are to
support the course offered on these topics and to assist students in finding reference
materials, circulating books, articles, websites and audiovisual materials which may assist
them in their courses and research assignments.
Guide prepared by Glen Bencivengo, Librarian.
This guide is divided into five parts:
Reference Books
Circulating Books
Periodicals and Online Databases
Web sites
Audio-visual materials
Reference Books
Cassell,Dana, Robert Salinas, Peter Winn, eds. Encyclopedia of Death and Dying.
New York: Facts on File, 2005. Ref HQ 1073. C374 2005. An excellent one
volume encyclopedia, arranged alphabetically covering topics such as advanced
directives, music therapy of the dying and palliative care. Entries vary in length from one
paragraph to two pages. Appendixes, bibliography and index included.
Kastenbaum, Beatrice and Robert. Encyclopedia of Death. Phoenix: Oryx Press,
1989. Ref HQ 1073. E54 1989. This reference book contains an alphabetic
arrangement of articles pertaining to death. Articles range from AIDS to vampires.
References and index included.
Circulating Books
Baird, Robert M. and Stuart E. Rosenbaum. Caring for the Dying: Critical Issues
at the Edge of Life. Amherst, N.Y.: Promethus Books, 2003. R 726.8 .C385 2003.
This book is divided into four parts: The hospice movement, palliative care at the end of
life, spiritual caring for the dying, and legal issues at the end of life.
Battin, Margaret P. Ending Life: Ethics and the Way We Die. New York: Oxford
University Press, 2005. R726.B329 2005. This book is a collection of essays on
ethical aspects of death, including suicide ( and its prevention), AIDS, the right to die,
ethical aspects in increasing the human lifespan, and physician assisted suicide.
Extensive notes and index.
Callanan, Maggie and Patricia Kelley. Final Gifts: Understanding the Special
Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying. New York: Bantam Books,
1992, 1997. BF 789.D4 C25 1997. Written by two hospice nurses, this book is a
moving account of the last experiences of dying people: their expectations of death, their
near death awareness, and their final days with family and friends.
Chopra, Deepak. Life After Death: The Burden of Proof. New York: Harmony
Books, 2006. BL535 .C535 2006. Written by a best selling author, this book examines
what may happen to us after we die. Some may disagree with the author’s contentions,
but the book offers a view of the afterlife that many have found convincing.
Coberly, Margaret. Sacred Passage: How to Provide Fearless, Compassionate
Care for the Dying. Boston: Shambhala, 2002. R726.8 .C626 2002. The author
offers the reader practical advice on meeting the essential needs of the dying, including
stories from her career as a nurse.
Coombs, Barbara. Ed. Compassion in Dying: Stories of Dignity and Choice.
Troutdale, Oregon: New Sage Press. 2003. R726.8 .C653 2003.
This book consists of the personal stories of those who chose to contemplate their own
deaths by possibly exercising their rights under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.
Davies, Douglas J. A Brief History of Death. Malden, MA.: Blackwell Publishing.
2005. HQ 1073.D373 2005. While brief ( 184 pages) the author provides the reader
with a well written, scholarly history of death. The author cites ancient and
contemporary literature in his examination of this universal experience. An excellent
bibliography is included.
Doka, Kenneth, Bruce Jennings and Charles A. Core. Eds. Ethical Dilemmas at the
End of Life. Washington, D.C.: Hospice Foundation of America. 2005. R726.8
.E84 2005. This book consists of a series of essays and case studies dealing with
difficult ethical issues such as withdrawal of artificial life support, rational suicide in
terminal illness and proper home nursing treatment.
Duda, Deborah. Coming Home: A Guide to Dying at Home with Dignity. New
York: Aurora Press. 1987. R726.8 .D83 1987. This book offers very practical
advice for caring for a dying person at home. It covers such topics as massage, washing,
basic nutrition, legal considerations and burial services. It also covers the psychological
needs of the dying and caregivers.
Eubanks, Sonja. Death and Dying. Detroit: Thomson/Gale. 2006. BF 789.D4
.D3453. 2006. This book consists of essays written by parents, scholars and others on
such topics as dealing with the loss of a child or adult, the role of faith in the grieving
process, choosing the moment of death, near death experiences and the possibility of an
afterlife.
Gaffron, Norma. Dealing with Death. San Diego: Lucent Books. 1989.
HQ1073.3 .G34 1989. In this book the author covers such topics as the psychological
stages the dying person goes through, the grieving process, dying with peace and dignity
and giving meaning to death. A bibliography is included.
Gaughen, Shasta ed. Coping with Death. Detroit: Thomson/Gale. 2003. BF
789.D4 .C665 2003. This book consists of essays taken from other sources. The
authors write about issues ranging from proper care for dying individuals to funeral
expenses and procedures.
Gilbert, Sandra M. Death’s Door: Modern Dying and the Ways We Grieve. New
York: W.W. Norton. 2006. HQ 1073 .G54 2006. A prominent literary critic and
poet examines the human relationship to death as expressed through literature, history,
poetry and societal practices. Very extensive notes and bibliography.
Jansen, Lynn A. Death in the Clinic. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006.
R726.D442 2006. This book centers around ethical challenges surrounding death and
dying in the clinical setting and clinical practice. The book consists of well written
essays by physicians and ethicists. Extensive footnotes.
Kastenbaum, Robert J. Death, Society and Human Experience. 6th edition.
Needham Heights, MA.: Allyn & Bacon.1977,1998. BF 789 .D4 K36 1998.
This textbook covers such topics as the meaning of death, the process of dying, the
hospice movement, AIDS, suicide, violent death, the right to die, bereavement and grief,
the funeral process, the possibility of life after death and death counseling. Excellent
index and references.
Kaufman, Sharon R. …And a Time to Die: How American Hospitals Shape the
End of Life. New York: Scribners. 2005. R726.8 .K385 2005. Since most
Americans now die in hospitals, the author, a medical anthropologist, spent two years
interviewing doctors, nurses and patients in hospitals. In this book she examines the
tensions between the urge to extend life and the desire to let people die. She also
discusses the often irrational world of health care delivery in the United States.
Keeley, Maureen and Julie Yingling. Final Conversations: Helping the Living and
the Dying Talk to Each Other. Acton, MA.: Vander Wyk & Burnham. 2007.
BF 789 .D4 K44 2007. The authors of this book, both communications professors,
analyzed the final conversations of dying individuals and their relatives. The authors
offer practical advice on how to communicate with people who are on the threshold of
death.
Kleespies, Phillip M. Life and Death Decisions: Psychological and Ethical
Considerations in End of Life Care. Washington, D.C. American Psychological
Association. 2003. R726.8 .K565 2004. This book is a thorough, if rather dry,
examination of ethical issues relating to death such as: assisted suicide, the wish to die,
the psychologist’s role in end of life care, and other topics.
Knox, Jean. Death and Dying. New York: Chelsea House Publishers. 1989.
BF789 .D4 .K66 1989. This book consists of short chapters dealing with definitions of
death, dying with dignity, grief and its rituals and the quest for immorality. Excellent
glossary of terms. Short bibliography included.
Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth. On Death and Dying. New York: Scribners. 1969, 1997.
BF 789 .D4 K8 1997. In this landmark and now classic book, the author, a famous
thanatologist, first introduced and explored the five stages of dealing with death. The
author died in 2004.
Kuebler, Kim K. , Patricia H. Berry and Debra E. Heidrich. End of Life
Care:Clinical Practice Guidelines. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. 2002.
R726.8 .K84 2002. Written for medical professionals, the authors of these essays
provide the reader with detailed, if somewhat technical advice on how to treat various
medical conditions associated with the dying patient. Reference and case studies
provided.
Kuebler, Kim K., M.P. Davis and Crystal Dea Moore. Palliative Practices: An
Interdisciplinary Approach. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby. 2005 R726.8 .K85 2005.
This book consists of a series of chapters written for the medical professional ( with
extensive references and charts) dealing with pain management and illnesses that
adversely affect the dying person.
Nakaya, Andrea C. Terminal Illness: Opposing Viewpoints. Detroit:
Thomson/Gale. 2005 R726.8 .T4646 2005. This book consists of a series of
different viewpoints on such topics as: do the terminally ill receive quality care, how
should physical pain be relieved, should euthanasia be allowed for terminally ill patients.
Excellent index and bibliography. Also included is a list of organizations dealing with
ethics, suicide, euthanasia, hospices and the right to die.
Roberts, Barbara K. Death Without Denial, Grief Without Apology: A Guide for
Facing Death and Loss. Troutdale, Oregon: New Sage Press. 2002. BF 789 .D4
R58 2002. This book is a highly personal account of the grieving process. After the
death of her husband, the author, a former governor of Oregon, became an advocate for
the dying. Her chapter on grieving is especially useful.
Sankar, Andrea. Dying at Home. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
1991,1999. R726,8 .S26 1999. This book is the indispensable guide for those
families ( and the ill individual) who choose to face death at home. The author offers
practical advice about the process of dying and how to make the terminally ill person
comfortable during the final days of life.
Spiro, Howard. ed .et al. Facing Death. New Haven: Yale University Press.
1996. BF 789 .D4 .F141 1996. Divided into two parts, this book consists of a series
of essays by physicians, theologians and philosophers on such topics as caring for those
who die in old age, children and death and the meaning of death in various religions.
Staton, Jana, Roger Shuvy and Ira Byock. A Few Months to Live: Different Paths
to Life’s End. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press. 2007. HQ 1073.5
.U62 .M577 2001.
This book is a description of what dying is like from the perspectives of nine terminally
ill individuals. The reader is shown how these individuals coped with their illnesses and
their search for meaning in the final months of life. Extensive references.
Torr, James and Laura K. Egendorf eds. Problems with Death: Opposing
Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. 2000.
HQ 1073. P76 2000.
This book offers opposing essays on such topics as suicide, physician assisted suicide,
capital punishment, and other death related topics.
Wilcox, Sandra G. and Marilyn Sutton. Understanding Death and Dying: An
Interdisciplinary Approach. Third edition. Palo Alto: Mayfield Publishing
Company. 1985. HQ 1073. U53 1985. This book is a collection of essays, poems
and scholarly studies on various aspects of death and dying: the experience of dying,
grief, death and the child, suicide, and the caring of the terminally ill. References
available.
Winters, Paul A. ed. Death and Dying: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego:
Greenhaven Press. 1998. R726. .D435 1998. This book is part of a series that
offers opposing viewpoints on a variety of subjects. In this particular book such topics as
stopping treatment, the issue of a Constitutional right to die and do Near Death
Experiences conclusively prove the existence of an afterlife.
Periodicals and Online Databases
Online databases offer access to essays, book chapters, encyclopedia articles and
periodical articles on various topics dealing with death and dying. Some databases can
be accessed remotely, others must be used in the library.
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS (a GALE DATABASE.
Library and Remote Access)
A search in this database will produce full text contrasting essays on such topics as
assisted suicide and euthanasia. One can also find articles on the future of death and an
overview on death through the ages.
CQ RESEARCHER ( Library and Remote Access)
This database has full text essays on topics such as assisted suicide, the right to die and
caring for the dying.
ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER (A DATABASE FROM EBSCOHost. Library
and Remote Access)
This is a very large academic multi-disciplinary database with many journal articles
available in full text. Many journals are peer-reviewed. PDF files are available back to
1975 or further. A search using “death or dying” in the title of the article yields over
22,000 results. The student can also search under such terms as euthanasia, terminally ill,
medical ethics, death, and palliative treatment.
CINAHL (A DATABASE FROM EBSCOHost. Library and Remote Access)
This database is the authoritative resource for nursing and allied health professionals and
students. It indexes over 2,800 journals from the fields of nursing and allied health. A
search using the term “palliative care” in full text yields over 7,500 articles
MEDLINE (A DATABASE FROM EBSCOHost. Library and Remote Access)
MEDLINE provides authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry,
veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences and more. It includes
the records of over 4,800 current biomedical journals. A search using the terms death or
dying in full text will yield over 2,500 results.
PscyARTICLES (A DATABASE FROM EBSCOHost. Library and Remote
Access)
This database is considered a definitive source for full-text peer-reviewed articles in
psychology. The database contains more than 100,000 articles from journals. Coverage
spans from 1894 to the present. A search for “death and anxiety” in the title of the
article will yield over ten results.
WORLDBOOK ONLINE (Library and Remote Access)
This online encyclopedia offers basic, clearly written articles on many subjects. A basic
search for “death” will retrieve an article that defines death in a biological sense, deals
with death in culture, and contains information on the right to die, living wills and
durable power of attorney for health care and changing attitudes about death.
WIKIPEDIA
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. Articles are written by volunteers and vary in
quality. The article on death is extensive and gives an overview of what constitutes death
from a biological point of view, death in culture, suicide, euthanasia, customs, grief and
superstitions about death. References are included. While this entry is informative and
provide references, care should still be taken when evaluating the authority of the
information.
Websites
MedlinePlus
End of life issues http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/endoflifeissues.html
This is an excellent site with many good links to the actual process of dying, coping with
a terminal illness, and end of life care. A link to the Mayo Clinic, for example, will lead
to information on caring for a dying loved one. Another link will lead to an essay entitled
“A Dying Person’s Guide to Dying”
Sociology of Death and Dying http://www.trinity.edu/MKEARL/death.html
This website contains information and many links ( some of them broken) on the role of
death in society, information on Near Death Experiences and other topics. Some of the
sites are scholarly in nature, while others are more popular.
University of Iowa Coping with death, grief and loss
http://www.niowa.edu/~ucs/griefloss.html. This site should be consulted in
conjunction with http://www.helpguide.org/mental/grief_loss.htm which is an
excellent site on how to hope with grief. The stages of grief are described. Links to other
sites are given, such as a site which explains the Kubler-Ross grief cycle for those with a
terminal illness.
Hospice Foundation of America http://www.hospicefoundation.org
This site provides information about the hospice movement. Many links about the dying
process itself are included.
Audio-visual materials
DEATH: A PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING
Sleeping Giant Productions. Annenberg Media. 1999.
Three Videodiscs (260 min.)
DVD 0135 ( available at Circulation Desk)