Senior minister Schaper’s comprehensive book on death is based on her 40 years of counseling the dying and their families. She covers everything from the realization that one’s illness is incurable to the memorial service and presents positive suggestions for disclosing the imminent death to loved ones and how to prepare spiritually (not necessarily espousing religion) for the end. . . . VERDICT [The book is] . . . superb in discussing preparation for death. Approaching the End of Life supplies a blueprint [to prepare for death].

Library Journal, Starred Review

Over the course of her long ministry, Schaper has comforted the sick and dying, presided over many funerals and memorials, and counseled the bereaved. Drawing upon these many years of experience, her book offers sensitive advice about planning one’s own funeral or the funeral for a loved one. More important, her book encourages us to plan for a good death, which means living a good life. Everyone will die, and immortality remains an unresolved issue. Therefore, we need to find a place from which to die. Schaper argues that place is a spiritual home, one that gives our life meaning, joy, and purpose. Whether in a faith community, sacred space, or ritual, a spiritual home is a place where our faults and achievements are both recognized and affirmed. It is a place where we are comforted, challenged, and connected. It is a community of individuals, not an institution, amid whom we can die after having lived well. Reflecting upon one’s mortality is scary. Schaper’s thoughtful and helpful book eases the fear.

Booklist

The Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper is the senior minister at Judson Memorial Church in New York City. This book is written to provide a spiritual and practical guide for lay people (both the dying person and/or their loved ones) about planning and organizing things to do with the end of life, and the funeral or memorial services that come afterwards. I liked her straightforward, conversational style, and the language was simple and understandable to the average person. Above all, whilst giving what is probably very good advice, I liked her celebration of individuality – no two patients (or two families) will have identical wishes and needs, and she gives permission for you to do exactly what you want or what you think is best. For those of us who work in palliative care, it is useful to know about books like this that you can recommend or loan to appropriate patients and/or their families.

IAHPC Newsletter

Donna Schaper continually urges us to think long and broad about our life and death. From her expansive revision of the traditional funeral phrase, ‘Ashes to ashes, stardust to stardust,’ to her encouragement that we think of our lives as ceramic vessels for the Spirit and not throwaway plastic, she urges us to consider our life, death, and afterlife in the context of the ‘great awesome.’ Her mixture of practical advice on dying and funerals, as well as her theological reflections on the context of aging, death, and the afterlife, gives us much to chew on and live toward.

The Rev. Dr. Rochelle A. Stackhouse, senior pastor, The Church of the Redeemer, United Church of Christ, New Haven

With fresh language and a helpful breadth of perspective, Rev. Donna Schaper has provided an invaluable tool for approaching the end of life, a must-read for clergy and highly accessible for laity. I will be looking forward to using Approaching the End of Life as a solid text on practical spirituality with adults in my parish.

Rev. Dr. Jill R. Edens, senior co-pastor, United Church of Chapel Hill

Rev. Schaper does an excellent job of discussing a potentially difficult or challenging matter in an upfront, logical, and very caring way. I think everyone needs to read this book.

Scott Jurica, MS, DC, PAK, ACN; holistic doctor