ABSTRACT
Is there a “best” style of dying or a “best way” to cope with death? The initial response to this question must be another question: Best for whom? For health professionals? Health professionals, especially those providing direct and on-going care, seem to prefer people who cope with death quietly, cheerfully, and self-sufficiently. If the death occurs in a health facility, the health professionals may also prefer that the patient have a support system of family members and friends who attend in small numbers, speak quietly, and make minimal demands on the staff.
