Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life [Paperback]

Megory Anderson (Author), Thomas Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 24, 2003

Death may be inevitable, but dying alone or in fear does not have to be. Sacred Dying is theologian Megory Anderson's essential testimonial and handbook for creating a dignified, peaceful, and more sacred end to life. Anderson includes a section with many prayers and poems from various traditions, and shows how to use personalized and creative rituals to help those dying prepare for their death and to bring a sense of peace, reconciliation, and acceptance both to themselves and to the loved ones they leave behind. She discusses all aspects of this final transition, including how to help a dying person put "unfinished business" to rest; using massage to help the dying let go of his or her body; and how to use music to help the dying focus on specific times, places, or events. For this first-ever paperback edition, she adds a chapter on what can be done after death to help move the soul along. Intended for those who are going through the death of a loved one as well as those facing death personally, Sacred Dying facilitates creating a setting where death is experienced as it should be—with honor, respect, and sacredness.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At some point in our lives, many of us will find ourselves sitting at the bedside of a dying loved one. Thanks to Megory Anderson's Sacred Dying, we now have one of the most important and eloquent books available on tending to the dying. Anderson offers readers rituals and interactions to soothe and support a dying person as he or she crosses over into death. Even in situations where there is a specific religious ritual at hand--such as summoning a priest for the last sacrament--there are still many hours (and even days) that can be used to make a dying person feel spiritually and physically comforted and prepared.

As the founder of the Sacred Dying Foundation in San Francisco, Anderson provides real-life examples and strong storytelling to cover all aspects of dying, including how to help someone let go of "unfinished business" and how to massage a dying person to help them let go of their body. Anderson lists the tools for rituals (such as holy water, incense, and markers and paper for writing final thoughts). She even devotes an entire chapter to music--a powerful tool in healing and transcendence. Anderson offers a lovely book that covers everything you need to know to help a dying person feel deeply cared for, whether you choose to read poems aloud from the final chapters or simply sit in silence, holding the hand of a loved one. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Anderson, a theologian who founded the Sacred Dying Foundation, has written a guide for people facing the death of a loved one. To that end, she relates stories of her work and discusses rituals that help the dying find peace and the survivors to go on with their lives. These rituals include prayer, creating sacred space, using music, listening, and dealing with the past. Quotations from Christian and Jewish sources as well as The Tibetan Book of the Dead illuminate the text. Not just a guide, this is also a useful reference work: the appendix contains prayers and poems about dying from a variety of traditions, and the bibliography, which is over 20 pages long, covers such categories as general works, care giving and hospice, rituals, and afterlife as well as the various religious traditions. Recommended especially for public libraries and patrons wanting resources for action and solace; other libraries and resource centers may purchase accordingly. Naomi E. Hafter, Broward Cty. P.L., Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Rev Exp Su edition (December 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569244340
• ISBN-13: 978-1569244340
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Ministry to the Sick & Bereaved

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" for all human beings, June 7, 2005

By 

D. Bassett (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life (Paperback)

This is one of the books I recommend as a "must read" for all human beings! I only wish I had found this book years ago when I was helping a loved one navigate her own death. I was so ill equipped, mentally and emotionally. I would have done things so differently-- this book has made me view the dying process (and the possibilities for making it incredibly special) in a whole new way. Megory Anderson is the modern day Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I now give this book to friends on a regular basis.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and uplifting, with practical advice, September 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life (Hardcover)

Sacred Dying offers that hard to find balance: compassionate advice on a very emotional topic written in a clear, clean and easy to understand style. The stories of patients and families are very moving and uplifting. There are lots of practical guidelines for those of all faiths to make the end of life experience what it should be - beautiful!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful approach, March 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life (Hardcover)

Megory Anderson has provided us with a beautiful, thoughtful book that will be a comfort to many people. It is accessible without being simplified, and intelligent without being pretentious.

I highly recommend Sacred Dying to anyone who is in need of it.