German photographer Walter Schels was terrified of death, but felt compelled to take these extraordinary series of portraits of people before and on the day they died. His partner Beate Lakotta recorded the poignant and revealing interviews with the subjects in their final days.
I found both the article and the photographs very moving.
[warning: some people may find the images disturbing]
casa azahar 
my father gave me many gifts. but far and away the most powerful came to me through our conversations about life – and death – in his final years. like one of the gentlemen interviewed, he was frustrated by people not wanting to let him talk about dying… people denying his imminent death.
these photographs and interviews are a deeply moving nudge for all of us to try a little harder to think about, talk about and share feelings about death.
especially listening to those who are staring it in the face.
thanks for this, az…
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indeed, thank you so much, az. what a beautiful, profound and utterly compelling essay on death and dying.
life before death is a masterpiece that will deeply resonate with all who experience it. in fact, it should be required viewing for everyone.
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Being on the other side of 50 has made me start thinking about death in a different way. Going for a little more carpe diem and also trying to lose my fear. It’s just that I’m still afraid of the dark…
I think I’ve had a fairly good life. At least some of it was interesting. But I’ve recently started thinking that having a good death is also important. I hope I still have a good amount of time to work on that.
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