The Seven Ages of Death

Wow! Just wow!

This book isn’t at all what I expected—it was much more. It could just as easily have been titled “The Seven Stages of Life”—so thoughtfully written and full of advice on how not to become one of his clients. It's one of the more interesting non-fiction books I’ve read recently, most probably because the author seemed to be speaking directly to me, giving me advice on how to be a better keeper of myself . . . and others. And reminding me that things aren’t always as clear-cut and dried as they seem. I think this learned, thoughtful, detailed, empathetic doctor may have missed his calling by working as a forensic pathologist . . . but what do I know? He has probably helped many people who needed what he has/had to offer in helping them come to terms with the deaths of loved ones—we are so in need of understanding, compassionate support at such times. I have a suspicion not all forensic pathologists are as determined to work as hard as he does/did, but I may be wrong—I certainly hope so. I wish he were in America and could be the forensic pathologist in my 29 year-old nephew's up-coming case involving his unnecessary death at the hands of an uncaring ER team, whose negligence and bias resulted in his death. The hospitalist at the hospital we had him transferred to did not deny that his care had been negligent. But I also think Dr Sherperd is spot-on about dying. I was a hospice nurse at the end of my career. One of my patients dying from cancer told me one day that she was aware of her soul gradually separating from her physicality. Who was I to doubt her? I asked her how that felt—if it hurt. She told me it was a freeing feeling to shed the body. She died the next day.