¤ Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross, author of On Death and Dying, the seminal work on the subject of death.  Dr. Kubler Ross first described the five stages of death experienced when one has a terminal illness. An informative web site chronicles her work.

¤ The Hospice movement has taken hold in the United States.  The Hospice movement is generally accepted to have begun in Ireland in the 1870's, shortly after the beginning of the potato famine.  The Hospice History Project traces the origins of this final care concept.

¤ Hospice care is not only for the old.  Hospice can help anyone with a terminal illness.  Generally patients have less prognoses that anticipate less than six months to live.  Some patients live longer, some die in a few days.  Hospice allows a person to die in the manner that he or she wants to die, most notable not hooked up to machines in the sterile environment of a hospital room.   Hospice care is covered by most insurance in the United States.  To locate a hospice near you visit the Hospice Association of America .   For those in the UK and Ireland you may locate a hospice here.   The Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association web site is very informative as well.

Others may find a hospice in their area by consulting the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care Hospice Association Directory.
 

¤ Grief Net is an online resource that can help those dealing with grief after the loss of a loved one.
 

¤ The American Psychiatric Association has online information on dealing with death, disasters, and other traumatic events in one's life.

¤ Suicide is a great loss to many people if you are, or know someone who is contemplating suicide please have them call a trained counselor.  In the United States dial 1-800-784-2433 toll free.  For other numbers please see the Suicide Hotlines web page.  If you are outside of the United States call +1 813 234-1234 collect.

¤ If reading this guide has piqued your curiosity and you want to learn more consult the Association for Death Education and Counseling web site. There are many useful links there and it lists University programs in Thanatology.