Death & Dying

Since retiring from American University in 2018, I have devoted my life to advocating for reform in aging, death, and dying. I am an end-of-life activist.

My book on death and dying for Bloomsbury, Achieving a Good Death: A Practical Guide to the End of Life, was published on October 1, 2024. All proceeds from my books fund scholarships for American University students.

I also work as a hospice volunteer and run an aging, death, and dying group for the Bethesda Metro Area Village (BMAV).

I serve on the boards of the Green Burial Association of Maryland (GBAM), Montgomery Hospice & Prince George's Hospice (MHI), and BMAV.

I am vice chair of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maryland & Environs (FCAME) and on the Advisory Council for the Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight (OCO).

I serve on the boards of Final Exit Network and Hemlock Society of San Diego (where I also serve as Vice President).

My wife and I have created and funded the “Finishing Strong Award” with the Washington Area Village Exchange (WAVE) to encourage villages to hold more discussions about end-of-life issues. WAVE is the largest regional village organization in the nation.

I give pro bono presentations and workshops on various topics, including how to live a meaningful and successful life, aging well, achieving a good death, living well to die well, medical aid-in-dying, decluttering and death cleaning, completing advance directives, writing memoirs, composing legacy letters and ethical wills, funeral planning, green ways of body disposition, and hospice care.

Below are some of my handouts and articles on aging, death, and dying.

For videos of recent talks and podcasts on death and dying, please see the Speaking page.