On Death and Dying: What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy and their Own Families

Written by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Narrated by Carol Bilger

The world-famous bestseller that brought new insight, hope and understanding to millions now available on CD!

Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross created her classic seminal work, On Death and Dying, to offer us a new perspective on the terminally ill. It is not a psychoanalytic study, nor is it a "how-to" manual for managing death. Rather, it refocuses on the patient as a human being and a teacher, in the hope that we will learn from him or her about the final stages of life. On Death and Dying examines the attitudes of the dying and the factors that contribute to society's anxiety over death. It closely looks at the five stages of death--denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance--and how the dying and living deal with them.

In addition, this program offers multi-voice readings of some of the most revealing interviews Dr. Kübler-Ross conducted with her patients. By hearing some of the most intimate and sensitive feelings expressed by those men and women, it is hoped that we may learn more about death and lessen our own anxieties about the natural course of our lives. At its heart, On Death and Dying is a truly remarkable program about communication--offering insight on how to talk with and listen to the terminally ill, and truly hear their fears, hopes, angers, and anxieties.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Feb 1, 2005
• ISBN: 9781593976569

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD, (1926–2004) was a Swiss-born psychiatrist, humanitarian, and co-founder of the hospice movement around the world. She was also the author of the groundbreaking book On Death and Dying, which first discussed the five stages of grief. Elisabeth authored twenty-four books in thirty-six languages and brought comfort to millions of people coping with their own deaths or the death of a loved one. Her greatest professional legacy includes teaching the practice of humane care for the dying and the importance of sharing unconditional love. Her work continues by the efforts of hundreds of organizations around the world, including The Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation.

Reviews for On Death and Dying

[Meiqi Zhou · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The most helpful insights I’ve got on this topic which give me strength to face the limited lifespan of human being . I am grateful.

[Drew Cunningham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very comforting book. I now look upon my inevitable death with a greater sense of peace and not as some terrible insufferable end. Approaching death can bring great spiritual growth and insight into what it actually means to be human. Definitely a very important book and a must-read for all those who fear the inevitable or who have recently lost someone special in their lives...

[Cindy Buthelezi Dibete · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An objective and gentle way to deal with dying, of oneself or someone close. I enjoyed how it is presented and the variety of subjects covered.

[rosa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gives us advice on respecting the wishes of the dying and understanding . Helps us not to be so selfish in our desires. It’s not about us it about the person you is dying !!! Helps ask the hard questions .

[ArmandSinecio · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A book about grief, highly recommended. In it, Kübler-Ross presents her famous model of the stages of grief. Following her experience working with terminally ill individuals and their families, she highlights the main issues they faced in accepting imminent death.

A guide for both healthcare personnel and the general public, as we may find ourselves (once again) facing the crisis of a close family member or friend suffering from a serious illness, nearing death. What matters is to live each moment, no matter how hard it is; although it hurts to see a loved one deteriorating day by day, it gives us the opportunity to make peace with them (I would also say to make peace with life and death, both our own and that of the other person), to mend the past, as well as to express our love, to give thanks for what we have lived, to accept death and to face it head-on, even if it is with our eyes filled with tears.

A pillar for what today is palliative care. (Translated from Spanish)

[Arcadio · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The truth is that it is quite curious to read a psychiatrist talking about guardian angels and life after death. We are talking about the famous tunnel with a bright light at the end, so often heard of and at the same time so derided.

The professional experience of this Swiss medical doctor is based, among other things, on accompanying hundreds of people in their final moments. It is from this source that she draws to explain the theory that death is not the end, just a step towards another stage.

I found it to be a truly beautiful book. Brief but with an interesting foundation to question one of humanity's great questions. The doubt is reasonable but... why not? (Translated from Spanish)

[MilvadelCarmen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross has such a personal way of writing that you feel like you're chatting with her; I like it... Sometimes I love her, sometimes I don't... but the truth is that she captivates me. In this small work, I found momentary comfort, and I say momentary because I have been a skeptical person and I struggle to believe in the spiritual world. Elisabeth's beliefs and supposed experiences are illusory for rational minds, although they make a lot of sense. Usually, we read about death when it has already affected us; we want answers, comfort, resignation, and we are vulnerable. We can read, read, and read, but I think that when we "know" what really happens, we will no longer be able to share it. A delicate topic.
I liked the little book and it invited me to keep reading more on the subject.
"Dying is moving to a more beautiful house; it is simply a matter of leaving the physical body, just as a butterfly leaves its silk cocoon." (Translated from Spanish)

[Los libros de Carmen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross is recommended for those who want to know more about death, whether they are going through the grief of losing a loved one or simply have an interest in learning more about this topic that, in one way or another, affects us all. I would say it is a book of hope that opens the doors to believing that life does not end with death; rather, it is a new life, another dimension without suffering or anguish, where we can feel much better. It should be noted that this author is a highly respected doctor, and her conclusions are drawn after years of research, study, and practice with dying patients. (Translated from Spanish)

[Monika · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think it helps people who have experienced a recent and beloved loss. And as was my case, thank God, just out of curiosity, I noticed that I have less fear of dying. What I think this book wants to convey is that death is a part of life, and one must learn, or at least try, to accept it. (Translated from Spanish)

[pmpereira · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found it to be a very interesting book for those who are interested in learning more about life after death. The author shares several stories she has closely experienced to support her arguments. It is easy to read and suitable for any type of reader. I believe that everyone should read this book as an introduction to this world; the next step would be to read books on the same topic but focusing, for example, on regressions of people who have found themselves at the threshold of death. In summary, I particularly recommend it to beginners. (Translated from Spanish)

[fabiancho1985 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A series of stories about people who crossed the threshold of death; the physical body is more than a cocoon that one day will emerge into another eternal existential plane. The book speaks to us from a spiritual perspective rather than a scientific one. (Translated from Spanish)

[Maribel Calle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read it at a very special moment. I really needed to read something that conveyed so much peace to me. (Translated from Spanish)

[kary18 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A magnificent book. It's a shame that I found it when my brothers had already passed away; it helps you a lot to truly understand what you should do and how to communicate with the sick person and their needs, to understand that the one who suffers is the sick person and that we should not cling to having them here just because we want them... In short, everyone should read the books by this author. (Translated from Spanish)

[Zulecastillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thanatology (Translated from Spanish)

[ViriGmz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A tough but necessary book to understand and cope with the grieving process. (Translated from Spanish)

[Oliver Eduardo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kübler Ross worked in the concentration and extermination camp of Majdanek (she recounts it here) after the war. In the barracks where children had been in their last days of life, she found many drawings on the walls. The most drawn subject was butterflies. This is why she became interested and later applied "the four quadrants of a drawing" according to Jung's theory. The book contains many experiences of children and their drawings. "If you live in harmony and balance in your physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual quadrants, you will not become ill. Illness only occurs for three reasons: traumatic reasons, genetic reasons, and a lack of harmony between the four quadrants." A small book of 200 pages that has valuable life experiences condensed. Great learning to immerse oneself in it (Note! from the four quadrants!!!) (Translated from Spanish)