ABSTRACT
The phrase "sharing the journey with a dying person" conjures up wonderful images of selflessness and altruism, and while it truly is these things, it can be many other things as well. It can be humbling, fulfilling and gratifying, it can be demanding and confusing, and it can produce anxiety. Regardless of the kind of caregiver we are –– professional, relative or friend, or volunteer –– we will find that caring for a dying person will often bring out the very best in us, and that at other times we will find ourself sorely lacking in some way. How can we prepare for this compelling experience? We begin by recalling the death of a friend or loved one, how they died and how it affected us.
