The author was an Episcopalian priest, but the book is for anyone who is concerned about their future with the American way of death.  With info on the legal documents you need to clarify how far you want the doctors to go to keep you alive, or to help you end the pain, how to choose and plan ahead for these decisions, and how to talk to your family and your care team about your choices.

A comprehensive manual for those reaching the end of life, and for their friends, relatives, advocates, and caretakers. Abraham describes in detail the challenges faced by those who wish to avoid months or years of painful treatment after losing hope of ever recovering any reasonable quality of life. Subjects include:

the nature of physical death;

legal documents to clarify one’s wishes;

the need for a strong advocate to have the patient’s wishes honored;

moral issues that must be considered;

means of dying painlessly once the decision is made;

and much more, including how to respond to reluctant doctors, and the value of humor in communicating with a dying patient.