Death Without Fear

Fear of death is primal and universal, an inexorable part of the human condition. And yet, Western Culture perpetuates denial and avoidance, a conspiracy of silence. Whether existential distress is centered on personal mortality or loss of loved ones, the process of dying or death itself, this authoritative yet accessible manual for mortals offers relief.
Informed by more than four decades of clinical experience, it contains a curated collection of the most resonant philosophical, spiritual, psychological, and practical answers to death anxiety. From the ancient wisdom of sages and shamans to contemporary, empirically derived approaches, abundant guided exercises facilitate self-reflection, insight, and application, providing readers with tools to replace fear with acceptance and live more freely and fully.

L. Saxon Elliott, Psy.D., is a practicing clinical psychologist, death doula, and end-of-life educator based in Western Massachusetts. An ardent evangelist of the death-positive movement, she founded The Examined Death™, a suite of mortality-facing resources.

L. Saxon Elliott, Psy.D.
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 277
Bibliographic Info: appendix, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9660-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5554-3
Imprint: Toplight

Preface 1
Introduction 5

Part I. The Problem of Death Anxiety 9
Chapter 1. The Elephant in the Room 12
Chapter 2. Death Anxiety 101 28

Part II. Philosophical Approaches 49
Chapter 3. The Epicureans 52
Chapter 4. The Stoics 61
Chapter 5. The (Pre)Existentialists 96

Part III. Spiritual Approaches 105
Chapter 6. The Afterlife: World Religions 107
Chapter 7. Death Rituals 117
Chapter 8. Death Meditation 129

Part IV. Psychological Approaches 137
Chapter 9. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 138
Chapter 10. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 155
Chapter 11. Existential Approaches 165
Chapter 12. Altered States of Consciousness 185

Part V. Functional Approaches 197
Chapter 13. Death Education and Literacy 198
Chapter 14. Ready to Go: Practical Considerations 216
Chapter 15. More(tality): Alternative Perspectives 231

Epilogue: The Last Bite 248
Appendix: The Revised ­Collett-Lester Scale 251
References 253
Index 261

Description

Fear of death is primal and universal, an inexorable part of the human condition. And yet, Western Culture perpetuates denial and avoidance, a conspiracy of silence. Whether existential distress is centered on personal mortality or loss of loved ones, the process of dying or death itself, this authoritative yet accessible manual for mortals offers relief.
Informed by more than four decades of clinical experience, it contains a curated collection of the most resonant philosophical, spiritual, psychological, and practical answers to death anxiety. From the ancient wisdom of sages and shamans to contemporary, empirically derived approaches, abundant guided exercises facilitate self-reflection, insight, and application, providing readers with tools to replace fear with acceptance and live more freely and fully.