In her more than forty years as a minister, Rev. Donna Schaper has been approached hundreds of times by people wanting to know how to prepare for the end of life in both practical and spiritual matters. Countless others have turned to her for guidance on how to handle the death of a loved one. From making a will and planning a memorial service to finding peace in the toughest circumstances, Approaching the End of Life offers practical and spiritual guidance to anyone wrestling with the end of a life. With sensitivity and humor Rev. Schaper helps readers face aging and mortality with freedom rather than fear. She encourages readers to find a spiritual home of some kind—even if it is far from the doors of a church—and offers helpful suggestions on memorials and funeral services that will be well suited to the departed while serving the loved ones in their grief and celebration. The book also includes practical resources such as a service planning checklist, a template for a funeral or memorial service, and more.

"Senior minister Schaper’s comprehensive book on death is based on her 40 years of counseling the dying and their families. She covers everything from the realization that one’s illness is incurable to the memorial service and presents positive suggestions for disclosing the imminent death to loved ones and how to prepare spiritually (not necessarily espousing religion) for the end. . . . VERDICT [The book is] . . . superb in discussing preparation for death. Approaching the End of Life supplies a blueprint [to prepare for death]." - Library Journal, Starred Review

"Over the course of her long ministry, Schaper has comforted the sick and dying, presided over many funerals and memorials, and counseled the bereaved. Drawing upon these many years of experience, her book offers sensitive advice about planning one’s own funeral or the funeral for a loved one. More important, her book encourages us to plan for a good death, which means living a good life. Everyone will die, and immortality remains an unresolved issue. Therefore, we need to find a place from which to die. Schaper argues that place is a spiritual home, one that gives our life meaning, joy, and purpose. Whether in a faith community, sacred space, or ritual, a spiritual home is a place where our faults and achievements are both recognized and affirmed. It is a place where we are comforted, challenged, and connected. It is a community of individuals, not an institution, amid whom we can die after having lived well. Reflecting upon one’s mortality is scary. Schaper’s thoughtful and helpful book eases the fear." - Booklist

"The Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper is the senior minister at Judson Memorial Church in New York City. This book is written to provide a spiritual and practical guide for lay people (both the dying person and/or their loved ones) about planning and organizing things to do with the end of life, and the funeral or memorial services that come afterwards. I liked her straightforward, conversational style, and the language was simple and understandable to the average person. Above all, whilst giving what is probably very good advice, I liked her celebration of individuality – no two patients (or two families) will have identical wishes and needs, and she gives permission for you to do exactly what you want or what you think is best. For those of us who work in palliative care, it is useful to know about books like this that you can recommend or loan to appropriate patients and/or their families." - IAHPC Newsletter