The Conversation Project

September is officially behind us, but before we look forward to what October has to bring, let’s reflect on what September gave us. The transition from summer warmth to the cool of fall reminded us…

Writers from all walks of life continue to lead their readers to mingle with death—get to know it from a distance. They urge readers to familiarize themselves with their inevitable acquaintance (so to speak). Below is a list of books that our audience has recommended to us. Each book, written through vastly different lenses, offer the idea that by confronting death, we all will be more likely to live life with a little bit more intentionality.

As summer comes to a close and you begin to reflect on all the warm days you spent with friends, family and loved ones, we encourage you to take another moment to reflect on what…

There is no better time than now—with me in my 69th year—to make clear to all of you how I want to spend the last few years, months, weeks and days of my life on…

…an advance directive is a way of extending my fatherly caring into a future when I will be the object of attention – and emotional distress. Envisioning such scenes, I imagine that my daughters might wish for my arm around their shoulders.

How might a clinician start learning what matters most to their patients about end-of-life care? One way is to talk about choosing a health care proxy. In this interview, Kate Lally, MD, FACP, Chief of…