Death Positivity

We often approach the topic of death and dying with feelings of apprehension, trepidation, fear, or sadness. There is some basis for this fear, as the path toward death for the dying person is often a lonely one and typically involves pain, physical, and mental suffering (Moore & Williamson, 2003). For the friends and family of the dying person, there is the fear of the pain, sadness, and grief that we as humans experience with the loss of a loved one (Moore & Williamson, 2003). There is also the fear of the unknown, as we cannot know what happens to a person after death.

But does death have to be approached in this way?

What if we worked toward transforming this understanding?

What if we created physical and emotional spaces that facilitated discussions of death, while offering comfort, support, and solace to the dying and the bereaved?

This is where the concept of death positivity comes in. Being death positive means being open to honest conversations about death and dying (Kelly, 2017) and is the foundation of a social movement that challenges us to reimagine all things tied to death and dying, including the development of Compassionate Communities (CCs).

Listening to the Dying

A good way to start a course on death and dying is by listening to the voices of people who are nearing the end of life—to hear their experiences, their struggles, and the wisdom they share. These stories remind us that death is not only a biological event but also a deeply social and emotional process shaped by culture, relationships, and meaning.

Many heart-wrenching stories are impacted by the death negativity that pervades our society. When conversations about dying are silenced or avoided, individuals often face the end of life feeling isolated or unprepared. Families may struggle to communicate openly about fear, grief, and hope, and health-care providers may find themselves focused on prolonging life rather than supporting quality of life. In this silence, important emotional, spiritual, and relational needs can go unmet.

Listening to those who are dying can challenge this avoidance. Their voices often reveal a longing for connection and authenticity—an invitation for others to show up with honesty rather than false reassurance. Through their reflections, we hear about gratitude, reconciliation, and the desire to leave a legacy of care and understanding. Such stories can become powerful teachers, helping us reconsider what it means to live well, die well, and accompany others through loss.

In this course, “listening” means more than hearing words. It involves practicing presence, empathy, and humility. By attending to the perspectives of the dying—across cultures, faith traditions, and personal histories—we begin to see death not only as an ending but as a moment of teaching. This awareness is central to death positivity: recognizing that honest engagement with mortality can deepen compassion, strengthen community bonds, and affirm the value of life itself.