Sacred Dying Journal

By Mary Larson | January 27, 2020 |

As a chaplain who works at a local hospital and works with congregations, I have sat with many people as they and family members have gone through transitioning from this life to the next, however they view this. Sometimes I have wondered if there was more I could have done. I believe this book, Sacred Dying Journal, is more. The author, Megory Anderson, Ph.D., and The Sacred Dying Foundation have put together a book that allows the person who is very ill or dying and their caregivers to take time to reflect and even plan for their last days.

And it all began with a comment during a class she was holding, “My husband isn’t going to understand what I want to have around me when I am dying; this is completely over his head. It’s my women friends who will see to my spiritual needs.” And out of that one comment, came this book and the movement of Sacred Dying and what this can look like for each of us. 

The book is laid out in four sections:

  • Part 1: Caring for the Body and the Soul- Aging, Illness, Medicine, Decline
  • Part 2: Sacred Dying in Time and Space- Creating the Sacred as We Die
  • Part 3: Legacies- Our Lives and What We Leave Behind
  • Part 4: Honoring the Body/Commending the Soul- When Death Happens

I spent several weeks reflecting on and answering some of the questions in this journal. The quotes that begin each part and that are sprinkled throughout the sidebars were helpful. This was especially true when I wasn’t sure how to answer the questions. Nothing in life is a straight line and, in this book, you are invited to skip around as needed. One of the quotes I most admired is from Rashida Jones, “I know that in life there will be sickness, devastation, disappointments, heartache- It’s a given. What’s not a given is the way you choose to get through it all. If you look hard enough, you can always find the bright side.” For each of us, we have a choice on how to deal with what we go through during our lives.

One concern is about getting the word out regarding this vital book. It is a subject that many of us find difficult. If a friend or even we are dying, it can be a very uncomfortable subject to broach. For a pastor or chaplain, it might be a little “easier” as these are conversations we often have with those we minister to. The website of the Sacred Dying Foundation continues beyond the book on how to approach death in a sacred way.

I would highly recommend this book for people who are dying or perhaps in a place where they can see the end of the road and want to be ready.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

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