BMJ  2003;327:1048 (1 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7422.1048

Letter

What is a good death?

Grandmother's death was a good example

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—My grandmother was what you could call a "grand old dame," in terms of dignity, not wealth. One day she decided it was time to die. She lay down in her bed and did not get up any more until she was dead—three months later.¹

In the years before this day, with a razor sharp mind in a fragile body, she had often asked if there was any way we could help her to die. She often had health problems and pain. However, she was happy and friendly and still enjoyed life's good moments, family events, parties, etc. She lived life to the full. When she went to a party, she exhausted herself so much; she often had to "pay" for days afterwards.

I visited her one month before her death. I had to leave the country for a medical attachment in the United States, and we both . . . [Full text of this article]

12 Meadow Way, Dorney Reach, Maidenhead SL6 0DS martin.kittel@gmx.net

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