Caring for the Dying

By: Henry Fersko-Weiss LCSW

Narrated by: Barry Abrams

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Caring for the Dying describes a whole new way to approach death and dying. It explores how the dying and their families can bring deep meaning and great comfort to the care given at the end of a life. Created by Henry Fersko-Weiss, the end-of-life doula model is adapted from the work of birth doulas and helps the dying to find meaning in their life, express that meaning in powerful and beautiful legacies, and plan for the final days. The approach calls for around-the-clock vigil care, so the dying person and their family have the emotional and spiritual support they need along with guidance on signs and symptoms of dying. It also covers the work of reprocessing a death with the family afterward and the early work of grieving. Emphasis is placed on the space around the dying person and encourages the use of touch, guided imagery, and ritual during the dying process. Throughout the book Fersko-Weiss tells amazing and encouraging stories of the people he has cared for as well as stories that come from doulas he has trained and worked with over the years.

©2017 Henry Fersko-Weiss (P)2017 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Fersko-Weiss's perspective is a desperately needed reminder of the value of facing life's most difficult transitions with open eyes and hearts." ( Publishers Weekly)

Good; Narrator a little too "much"

It's a good book, and a great starting point for anyone interested in becoming a death doula, confronting their own grass and beliefs around dying, and working through and with the death of a loved one. However, personally, this narrator is a little... "much" sometimes. Is it really necessary to do a higher "female" voice (that sounds oddly antebellum south) everytime a woman is directly quoted in the book? I had several eye roll moments at the narrator's "actor-y" choices. I appreciate that there are stories and narratives present in the book, but this isn't a fiction book. I'd prefer a less "embellished" reading. However, this may not bother other people.

4 people found this helpful

Good introduction

I feel this is a great, thoughtful introduction about the important work of death doulas. I'll be buying a hard copy for reference.

2 people found this helpful