BMJ  2003;327:1047 (1 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7422.1047-d

Letter

What is a good death?

A painless exit is an index of how well you lived your life

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

EDITOR—Smith's Editor's Choice about the rarity of a privileged death¹ reminded me of my father's observation: "A painless exit is an index of how moral and helpful your earthly life has been."

I have not had occasion to test its veracity yet, but I think that his admonition has kept me straight more than once.

Topeka, KS 66601, USA smurti@cox.net

---

Competing interests: None declared.

1. Smith R. Editor's choice. Death, come closer. BMJ 2003; 327. (26 July.)

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