Dying Well: How Do We Do It?

It’s something that can change everything; something that drains us of our hope; something that leaves us with nothing. That something is death.

In this book, John Wyatt talks about his own father’s death and admits that his first thoughts were dominated by regret because he hadn’t been able to have a final conversation with him. When we think of death, we often picture an ‘ideal’ scenario: our loved one in their bed, holding our hand, as we pray together. Wyatt discusses the challenges we encounter when facing death, particularly when the person experiencing it may be too weak to pray for themselves.

On top of that, he considers the modern view on death; if we over-medicalise it and have stopped seeing it as a time of opportunity.

‘If you ask how they would like to die, most people today will say: ‘I want to die in my bed while I am asleep. I don’t want any warning, any premonition, any awareness. I just want to go out suddenly, like a light.’ Yet the strange thing is that, if you were to go back four hundred years and ask people the same question, they would generally agree that sudden, unexpected death was the worst possible way to die. To be catapulted into eternity with no chance to prepare yourself, no chance to say goodbye, no chance to ask for forgiveness or to ensure your loved ones were provided for, no chance to prepare yourself to meet your Maker – what a terrible way to die.’

– John Wyatt

Wyatt has written extensively on the ethics of death and this book for Christians helps to guide you and your loved ones through a difficult time, all the while inspiring hope. Most of all, learn from the example of Jesus, and maintain an unwavering faith and know you walk no path alone. The ‘art of dying’ has always been a Christian tradition – and maybe it’s time to go back to our roots and look forward to the hope of resurrection.

‘Here at the end of our lives on earth we are called to carry on walking in the darkness, yes – but it is darkness transformed by the first gleam of dawn.’

– John Wyatt