Changing How You Think About Life and Death

Updated November 10, 2025-Originally titled November’s Timely Topic

We observe Halloween as its own holiday, but it is also the “eve” of another observance.

Also known as All Hallows’ Eve, it introduces the onset of Christian religious observances remembering deceased persons.

All Saints Day is a Christian holiday honoring Saints who have passed on to the afterlife usually observed on November 1st.
All Souls’ Day, in Roman Catholicism, a day for the commemoration of all the faithful departed, usually on November 2.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. While the holiday originated in Mexico, it is celebrated all over Latin America with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons), also on November 1 and 2.

Whether you observe any of these, death is a topic that has or will touch all of us and our families. I have written these blog posts that help make that life transition smoother.

Living life, facing death-a review of A Beginner’s Guide to the End

Even as a physician, I was surprised at the claim that only 10% to 20% of us will die without warning. The rest of us will know we have something that will likely take our life. And even if we don’t, we all know we will die eventually, although we tend to think and act…

Keep reading

Dying with Ease- a book review

Dr. Spiess doesn’t suggest that confronted with terminal illness we refuse treatment and give up. He advocates thinking about and planning for the dying process long before we develop an illness that might be fatal.

Keep reading

Why you should get ready to die while you live -a book review

“The reason obituaries are so dull to read is that they are so dull to write and that’s precisely why I’m writing my own: To save my family the drudgery in an otherwise stressful time.”

Keep reading

For personal reflection

Who do you know who is facing death soon? What are you learning from observing their experience?

How are you preparing for your own death, whether imminent or unknown? How does considering this affect the way you are living now?

Exploring the HEART of health, life, and death

I hope you don’t need to read any of these books now, but the reality is many of you do, or will eventually. People I know who have faced death with peace and confidence fare much better, as do their families. Be knowledgeable and prepared for your sake and for theirs.

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Dr. Aletha

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.