Catholic church updates medieval 'guide to dying well' for 21st century
Revamp of 15th century woodcuts, called The Art of Dying Well, includes animations and interviews with terminally ill people
Harriet Sherwood
Monday 31 October 2016 20.01 EDT
The Catholic church in England and Wales has brought the medieval manuscript Ars Moriendi – The Art of Dying – into the digital age, with a website aimed at helping terminally ill people and their loved ones deal with death.
Like the original 15th century work, The Art of Dying Well is intended to bring religious comfort and offer practical guidance to people in the final stage of life. The modern-day version offers videos, animations and interviews with terminally ill people and their carers.
Although the content is based in the Catholic tradition, the church says it is intended for anyone addressing end-of-life issues. It features real stories from dying people and their families, as well as interviews with palliative care experts.
In recent years there has been growing openness in society around what many see as the last taboo. Death Cafes and other events to discuss issues around the end of life have flourished, websites such as Final Fling, which offer death planning have emerged, and an increasing number of people are using the services of death doulas.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/01/catholic-church-releases-art-of-dying-well
http://www.artofdyingwell.org/