In a new study, researchers have revealed the key characteristics of a 'good death'.

 

在一项新研究中，研究人员揭示了“善终”的几个关键词。

 

They focused on the views of the patients themselves; family members - who were quizzed before or during bereavement¹ - and healthcare providers.

 

They identified 11 core themes of a good death, which included a choice of a specific process while dying, being free of pain and with the appropriate religious or spiritual rituals they wanted.

 

The other key characteristics included dying with a sense of emotional well-being², passing away with dignity and feeling as though one has 'completed' one's life.

 

The study was published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry³.

 

Often, people prefer to spend their final days at home but end up dying in hospital because doctors do not want them to leave, researchers said.

 

From floating in space to being administered a fatal dose of morphine, Reddit users share how they would like to die.

 

'I want a meteor to kill me,' one user called Turd Burgleson wrote.

 

Another user, called 'themoosehatguy', said: 'Floating in a space suit while down at the Earth. One last good view.'

 

One patient, a recent cancer survivor⁴, said: 'When it gets to the point that I can no longer care for myself, I want my significant other to crawl into bed with me and administer a lethal⁵ dose of morphine.'

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