Death is an inevitable consequence of being born (Figure 1). As such, it is important that human beings recognize this inevitability and plan
for a good death. Although in most developed countries there is increased awareness
of the need to plan for death by having advanced directives and/or a living will,
in many cultures, the discussion and/or recognition of death is avoided. For example,
in some Asian cultures, discussing death is bad luck, basically because of fear of
death and the thinking of no world after death. In Singapore education, programs such
as “both sides” and “happy coffins” have been launched to engage older persons in
discussions about the end of life (www.lienfoundation.org) (Figure 2).
![Figure thumbnail gr1]()
![Figure thumbnail gr2]()
Fig. 1Death - An Inevitable Consequence of Birth.
Fig. 2Happy Coffins - Part of the Singapore education program: Lien Foundation's Life Before
Death Campaign, www.happycoffins.org.
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© 2016 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
