Honesty Makes Death Easier

A theme woven throughout this book is that the commonly felt need to protect the terminally ill patient from the truth about his condition often makes the natural process of dying more complicated and painful. Much of the anger, hostility and negative emotions expressed by patients is connected to unspoken truths. Thus, not speaking the objective truth about death can add to their illness, frustration and inability, in fact, to die.

Kubler-Ross's seminar team was able to help many patients identify the real source of their anger, which is often directed toward hospital staff and doctors. The roots of much of this emotion is connected with confused messages, unnecessary guilt or remorse, fear over unfinished business and a number of issues that can be resolved simply by identifying their source. However, withholding any discussions about death can cause a patient to feel completely alone and...