John Wyatt - Dying Well: Dying Faithfully

The Archbishops Council (Church of England), Grave Talk (Church House Publishing, 2015)

Shirley du Boulay, Cicely Saunders: The Founder of the Modern Hospice Movement , updated, with additional chapters by Marianne Rankin (SPCK, 2007)

P. H. R. Bryson and E. R. Bryson, Dying Without Fear: Reflections from a Young Artists Final Journey with Cancer (Wonderfully Designed LLP, 2012)

Christian Medical Fellowship and Lawyers Christian Fellowship, Facing Serious Illness: Guidance for Christians towards the End of Life (CMF, 2015)

Andrew J. Drain, Code Red: A Young Christian Surgeon Finds Job Helps Him Face Death (Christian Medical Fellowship, 2010)

John Dunlop, Finishing Well to the Glory of God: Strategies from a Christian Physician (Crossway, 2011)

Philip Giddings, Martin Down, Elaine Sugden and Gareth Tuckwell, Talking about Dying: Help in Facing Death and Dying (Wilberforce Publications, 2017)

Janet Goodall, Children and Grieving (Scripture Union, 1995)

Pablo Martinez, A Thorn in the Flesh: Finding Strength and Hope Amid Suffering (Inter-Varsity Press, 2007)

Pablo Martinez and Ali Hull, Tracing the Rainbow: Walking Through Loss and Bereavement (Authentic, 2004)

Rob Moll, The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come (InterVarsity Press, 2010)

John Piper, Lessons from a Hospital Bed (Inter-Varsity Press, 2016)

Cicely Saunders, Beyond the Horizon: A Search for Meaning in Suffering (Darton, Longman & Todd, 1990)

W. H. Vanstone, The Stature of Waiting (Morehouse Publishing, 2006)

Allen Verhey, The Christian Art of Dying: Learning from Jesus (Eerdmans, 2011)

John Wyatt, Finishing Line , DVD and booklet discussions for church groups (CARE/Keswick Ministries, 2015)

John Wyatt, Matters of Life and Death , 2nd edn (Inter-Varsity Press, 2009)

John Wyatt, Right to Die? Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide and End-of-Life Care (Inter-Varsity Press, 2015)

The Art of Dying Well Catholic Church website: http://www.artofdyingwell.org

Citizens Advice Bureau: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Dying Matters a secular organization that aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life: https://www.dyingmatters.org/overview/about-us

Hospice UK information about independent hospices in the UK: https://www.hospiceuk.org

Lasting Power of Attorney UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Making a Will UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/make-will

National Council for Palliative Care the umbrella charity for all those involved in palliative, end-of-life and hospice care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: http://www.ncpc.org.uk

NHS information on Advance Decision to refuse treatment: https://www.nhs.uk/Planners/end-of-life-care/Pages/advance-decision-to-refuse-treatment.aspx

By definition, death lies beyond our personal experience. To most moderns, it is an uncomfortable subject, the skeleton in every persons cupboard. It is therefore the more valuable to have the opportunity to explore what lies ahead for almost all of us, in company as wise, knowledgeable and tender-hearted as this book provides.

Professor Wyatt is no stranger to death and dying. In his work as a neonatal consultant, he has daily studied, observed and wrestled with what happens to human bodies towards the end of life and not just to the body but also to the whole person. He has written, lectured and mentored on many aspects of the subject, and approaches it from a totally biblical world-view, making accessible what Christian revelation has to teach us. He draws on much that has been written, as well as on moving testimonies from those aware that death was imminent. He also draws from their relatives, friends, physicians and carers.

As a helpful framework, he borrows from the long-past Christian tradition of ars moriendi the art of dying discerning behind the medieval mindset centuries of wisdom, humanity and Christian devotion, as well as from detailed exposition from the example of Jesus himself, including the Seven Words from the cross.

The book, like its author, is in no doubt that death is unnatural to Gods original purpose the last enemy, as Paul describes it and cannot finally prevail. Yet our Father has his purposes for each of us in our death and faithful dying, and it is never too soon to begin thinking about them. We could ask for no wiser or more honest, practical and compassionate guide.

Timothy Dudley-Smith, hymn writer

It is easy to shrink from the subjects of death and bereavement. Here, John Wyatt, an experienced physician, deals with the issues sensitively and clearly. Hidden fears are faced with comforting reassurances for those about to die and for their loved ones. The book deals with relevant physical, emotional and spiritual issues, as well as offering practical and legal advice. Timely chapters on how the Lord Jesus faced his death, and the joys of resurrection to follow, remind us that our grief need never be without hope. Whatever brings the reader into the final valley, here is light for the way and ease for the pain.

Janet Goodall, paediatrician and author

What a life-affirming book about dying this is. It had the curious and joyous impact of making me even more grateful for life, clearer about its preciousness and more eager to make the most of whatever days God may grant me. The books brilliance lies in the effortless way that John blends deep biblical insight, long experience of compassionately accompanying the old, middle-aged, young and very young through death, and world-class medical expertise with a clear-eyed cultural critique of the way over-medicalization has worked to strip dying of its potential to nourish spiritual growth, relational healing and enriching leave-taking. Full of careful, wise practical advice for the dying, and for all those involved, what emerges is a gentle, unsentimental, moving and liberating gift to us all.

Mark Greene, Executive Director, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity

John Wyatt writes with the heart of a pastor, the knowledge and skill of an experienced physician and the seasoned wisdom of a Christian believer who has walked the journey of grief himself. He offers a pathway to dying well for us all, however trying the circumstances of death may prove to be. Biblical, practical and full of wise insight, this deeply helpful and relevant book is important whether death seems a distant reality or is staring us in the face. Much of the material has been warmly received in the context of the Keswick Convention and I am delighted now to be able to commend it to a wider audience.

John Risbridger, Minister and Team Leader, Above Bar Church, Southampton

A real treasure: encouraging, heart-warming, informative and sensible. It answers the concern of many Christian doctors that the will-o-the-wisp of medical imperialism has led the Christian community astray into excessive medicalization of the process of dying, to the detriment of spiritual and family matters. John Wyatt writes very practically about dying with honesty and integrity. He shows us what can be learnt from Jesus death and resurrection. He emphasizes the ultimate conquest of death, our mysterious and dreadful enemy. This is a book for everyone that will change souls for the better.

Andrew Sims, former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry of the University of Leeds

Drawing from our Christian past to help us face our future as Christians, Dying Well is wise, warm and refreshingly real.

Dan Strange, Oak Hill College

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