Transforming the culture of dying

It was famously said that the only two things certain in life are death and taxes. The impact of taxes is well commented upon, but discussions on the end of life are much less prominent. As part of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief Awareness Week a major new book from a leading specialist in palliative care is being published. Transforming the Culture of Dying: t he Work of the Project on Death in America by Professor David Clark of the University of Glasgow focuses on a change in the culture of dying in the United States of America. The book examines the ways in which the culture and attitude towards palliative care have changed in America over the past twenty years, and offers insights into how similar change might impact in the United Kingdom. Professor David Clark, who is Director of the Dumfries Campus and Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies said that "The time seems right for a wider public discussion about the manner of our dying - how we engage with, prepare for and accept death. There is growing interest in how we should die - and of course there are conflicting views on that subject.