This book was informative and comforting to me after I lost my mother to cancer. I wished I'd had this information while I was caring for her during her final months of life. However, it helped me to understand her needs and desires as I reflected on her health and needs during my grieving the first month following her passing. I strongly recommend it as an accompaniment to the services of Hospice.

I first read this book as my dad was approaching death, which was caused by his cancer. It gave me valuable insights into what my dad, and my family, were going through. I have since purchased and given copies of this book to several friends and family members. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially if they are currently going through the impending loss of a loved one.

Final Gifts is a blessing for anyone going through the experience of sharing "nearing death" end of life with a loved one. This book was given to me by Hospice nurses and it opened my eyes and helped me to understand some of the communications that my mother was trying to convey. I recommend this book to anyone who has a terminally ill loved one.

Final Gifts is a blessing for anyone going through the experience of sharing "nearing death" end of life with a loved one. This book was given to me by Hospice nurses and it opened my eyes and helped me to understand some of the communications that my mother was trying to convey. I recommend this book to anyone who has a terminally ill loved one.

Ms. Callanan and Ms. Kelley have written a guide of different ways patients may react in the process of dying and how everyone involved can be somewhat prepared for what happens towards the end of life. It is very much written in layman's terms. You won't have to worry about cracking open a dictionary for this baby. This book was a great help to my wife when she, her dad and her four siblings helped their dying mother. Many of the examples cited in this book did occur during the final week. The book is illuminating and will give the reader a great deal of comfort. Do yourself a favor and read it.

contains valuable information on what to expect emotionally from and how to interact with a dying loved one. the author assumes life after life, which is unknown in reality. this affects her interpretations of the departings' experience. if you can overlook this, it's a good book.

This is one of the finest books to help you understand the dying process both on helping the dying person and helping yourself.

My sister-in-law asked for this book when her son-in-law was recently killed in a motorcycle accident. I've ordered 3 or 4 and they give so much insight into what a dying patient is feeling - very reassuring and comforting to the loved ones.

I recently read this book while providing in home hospice care to a dying relative. The book did identify, almost to an exact point, the symptoms which the relative I am caring for was experiencing. It falls short in its attempt to really explain WHY the person dying was experiencing the symptoms presented in the book. As a Christian believer, I found the book to be ver liberal in its presentation of what the author calls Near Death Awareness. The examples scatted throughout the book are from all walks of life and all religious backgrounds, and as such there is a common thread offered here: All people dying will not be alone at death, someone will be there waiting for them on the "other side". From a Christian worldview, one will quickly start to see that the author is painting a picture that it really does not matter if one believes in Christ, Buddha, Mohamed, Satan or the Easter Bunny to be welcomed by a loving presence. One needs to remember that there is only one way to God (heaven), and that is through Christ Jesus. The book overall, is a good read and touching at times, but I would recommend that Christians remember that this is written from a non-Christian viewpoint. Take the opportunity to share with those you love, tell someone you love them, and most importantly, do not wait until someone is dying to bring comfort to them.

Final Gifts is a thorough look at what to expect and prepare for with a loved one who is dying. Advice on how to deal with situations is so helpful. It gave me comfort in understanding the process and removed my anxiety on situations I was experiencing and did not know how to deal with. This book was so helpful in making my loved one comfortable as they were declining. I highly recommend Final Gift and have given the book to friends who are experiencing the same situation.

For anyone who works with Hospice,or the elderly, or who have family members on hospice care, it is an invaluable book. To learn about the communications of a dying person, and their needs to die in peace, it can radically transform the dying experience for the person and their loved ones from one of sadness to one of sacred beauty. Not to read it, could mean missing out on the important signs our loved ones give us, as they are leaving us or hinder our understanding of what they are trying to convey. I highly recommend this book.

I read this book years ago when faced with my father in law's illness. Not knowing we would be burying all four parents within four years of his death. Very valuable read for anyone going through this end of life process. I bought these copies for friends.

This book is a MUST READ for anyone caring for the terminally ill or for anyone who has already experienced taking care of someone who was terminally ill. I have purchased several of these books to give away because they are so good.

Very good book. If you are interested in souls and where they go and what happens, this is a good place to start

this book is a quick read. read it in a day prior to leaving to see my father for the last time. it was informative and gave me a greater sense of peace allowing me to concentrate on being w/ my dad @ the hospice center rather than reading their literature.

The authors are so convinced that all of these experiences prove that there is life after death. I have experience with many deaths as an ICU nurse, as well as with family. These experiences are not universal, though this was not addressed in the book. The majority of people who die are much older than those presented in these cases. The experiences may be fiction; probity is dubious, or accepted through a leap of faith on the part of the reader.
I don't know what happens after death, no one knows with certainty what happens.
Why are the healthy not visited by deceased loved ones? Are those who die in accidents excluded from these experiences?
Perhaps my terminally ill father will display signs as described in the book....If so, I'll post an update. In my experience, most do not.
Granted, my own experiences are only anecdotal, as are the stories in this book, which the reader should keep in mind.
I give this book one star because it may help people to feel better. Keep in mind that the authors are making money on this book. I say browse it in your local bookstore and then leave it on the shelf.

My sister originally purchased this book shortly after my Mom died. She ended up giving it to me, which I in turn, have passed on to three other people I know that had a family member with a terminal illness. I wish I would have read this before my Mom became to ill to communicate. This book gives wonderful insight into the process of dying, not only for the person that is ill, but also for all of the family and friends involved. I felt a sense of comfort from reading this book as it was written in a very compassionate manner. I highly recommend this book for anyone, whether or not they are in this situation or not.

The book was recommended by a friend who works in a hospice environment to help me understand the process my elderly father is going through as he dies of cancer. The book shed special light on the language the dying sometimes use. "Special Gifts" offers many stories of the dying with brief commentary on or interpretation of each. Its a no nonsence, direct approach is refreshing. The copy I bought from Amazon went to my brother who shares care responsibility for out father with me.

This book, written by two hospice nurses, enhanced my understanding of the process of dying. It helped me to put death into the continuum of life in a way that is empowering and calm. I recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with the impending death of a loved one or to someone who has a lot of fears about death. It is a book that will help you to accept the end of life with peace and to believe that there are choices even in our final moments.

this was a brilliant ,well written account of the care of the dying and their families.

Excellent thoughtfull approach to a final event that we all will face. Also very helpful for the ones left behind,
Highly recommend.
BBW

This book brings comfort for those either in the process of loosing a loved one or already have lost a loved one. The excerpts in this book give hope of life beyond life on earth.

I highly recommend "Final Gifts" to anyone that's willing to understand the needs of the dying. My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of 2007. On December 22, 2007, dad expired.

Thanks to having read this book, I had a complete and open relationship with my dad, at a time when he needed me most. "Final Gifts" prepared me to listen, communicate, and act, to assist dad and my entire family during dad's battle with cancer.

I am so grateful that I have no regrets. I was equipped to fight cancer with dad and to understand each challenge every step of the way. I bought several copies of this book for my family and friends, so that they too will be as prepared to give and receive, the final gifts that life has to offer.

This book has very interesting information in it. I just wish I had known about it before my wife had passed away. Her final days would have been much different.

This book is exceptionally useful and comforting. It provided information about what to expect and how to help our elderly father through his final weeks. Through descriptions of the authors' experience, it explained what family members can look for (things people at the end of life say, do, worry about, etc.) and how to interpret those messages in a helpful, useful and comforting way. Highly recommend!

I received this book after my brother died.It helped me to understand some of the things that happened,but I wish I had read it sooner.I am ordering a copy for each of my 4 children.

This is a must have for anyone dealing with a dieing friend or family member. It will make an unbearable journey understandable and a peaceful experience for anyone who reads this book. I have given this book to everyone I know who is being touch by the eventual death of a loved one.

Such a moving book, it changed my life. Great for anyone to read, caregivers, patients, or nurses. I only wish I had read this years earlier.

Send this book to anyone you know who is at the final stages of losing a loved one. No book is better written to help them cope with the needs of the dying, and to help them understand and communicate with their loved one. This is essential reading. Order a case of these books, so you'll always have one on hand to give out.

A friend gifted me with this book during the year my 46 year-old daughter was in home hospice care, her 16 year battle with breast cancer coming to its end. Strokes had affected her ability to make herself understood or to even feed herself. The authors have sensitively and lovingly shared stories of how to recognize and receive the gifts our loved ones still have to share - even in their dying. These gifts are precious and ought not to be missed.

As part of a caregiving ministry in my congregation, I have purchased the book to be part of our caregiver's resource library. I highly recommend it to all clergy, caregivers, and to family and friends of those who are dying.

A friend gifted me with this book during the year my 46 year-old daughter was in home hospice care, her 16 year battle with breast cancer coming to its end. Strokes had affected her ability to make herself understood or to even feed herself. The authors have sensitively and lovingly shared stories of how to recognize and receive the gifts our loved ones still have to share - even in their dying. These gifts are precious and ought not to be missed.

As part of a caregiving ministry in my congregation, I have purchased the book to be part of our caregiver's resource library. I highly recommend it to all clergy, caregivers, and to family and friends of those who are dying.

Another book I sent my sister... she read it cover to cover in one night. My mother has breast cancer in her bones... my sister has taken over the job of full time care giver. This has helped my sister in so many ways and she just sit with our grandmother till she passed and this helped the whole family the things my sister had read that helped all of us understand my grandmothers wishes and thoughts at the end. It gives you a whole other point of view. Thanks ladies for writing this book.
Sherri'

Another book I sent my sister... she read it cover to cover in one night. My mother has breast cancer in her bones... my sister has taken over the job of full time care giver. This has helped my sister in so many ways and she just sit with our grandmother till she passed and this helped the whole family the things my sister had read that helped all of us understand my grandmothers wishes and thoughts at the end. It gives you a whole other point of view. Thanks ladies for writing this book.
Sherri'

Although my husband recently passed away with the dreaded disease, Alzheimers, reading this book has helped me through the process of grieving. I learned about "Final Gifts" through two women that were going to the same support group that I was attending. They knew that I was having a difficult time, accepted his death, etc. I wish that everyone could read this wonderful mind setting publication.

This book had everything I needed to understand what my dad was going through as he slowly prepared to die. It made it all so understandable and much easier to accept. Not only is everything explained, it gives concrete examples from the author's experiences as Hospice nurses. Such an informative and comforting book to have...I have read it numerous times and find new things each time as the dying process progressed. I would recommend it to everyone.

I hate to be a wet blanket because so many people have drawn so much strength from this book. I found it to be extremely helpful in learning to listen to the symbolic language of dying people--a perspective that, in itself, is worth the read. It troubles me, however, that almost all of the deaths were reported as peaceful, even joyous, that almost all family members were healthy and fulfilled. Most of the dying people were young, smart, and/or extremely articulate.

I would have appreciated an account that included the not-so-pretty experiences of death--the ambiguous, ambivalent, hard, messy parts.
Including those pieces would have made the book more helpful.

The interventions of the authors were somehow just too neat and tidy.

My daughter and I think that EVERYONE should read this book. Sooner or later, most of us will need it. I read this book after bringing my Mother
home from hospital and placing her under Hospice care. I was with her 24/7 for that last month she lived. I cannot even begin to tell you what a help this book was to me and all members of my family. This book changed our lives. We look at life and death so differently than we did previously. I felt honored to be there through all the changes and the death of my Mother.

I read this book while my grandmother was dying; I wish I had read it sooner. I have purchased multiple copies of this book and try to have a copy on hand at all times to share with the next person experiencing this process. The insights that the authors share are helpful in understanding this process without attempting to put it into a religious context, but in the dying person's language. They explain the value of listening to that person and what they are saying and respecting their choices.

Everyone needs to read this book, not just those who are experiencing this now, with someone, but everyone. We all will face this death sooner or later and the preparation this book gives invaluable insight into that final gift.

This book will help families and health care professionals understand the precious time surrounding death. So well written, it will make you laugh and cry and feel more comfort around a topic our society tends to avoid. I work in oncology and highly highly recomend this book to nurses, physicians, families, ANYONE. We all deal with death and this book really helps you to understand a new perspective!

This book is truly inspiring. It help me understand why some things happen during the last stages of death.
I so wanted to be with my sister when she died but she had other plans. By reading this book you will understand what I mean.

At the recommendation of a friend, I bought this book after my significant other died. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK IF YOUR LOVED ONE HAS ALREADY DIED. If your loved one has already died, this book will point out all the mistakes you made during the dying process and will only cause you further grief and regret. I would highly recommend this book ONLY if your loved one has not yet started or has only just started the dying process.

My grandfather recently passed away after 5 months of hospice care. The stories from this compassionate collection helped our family to understand the final journey in life.

Final Gifts is one of the best books I've ever read. It is written so clearly, so lovingly, and yet in such an intelligent, informative manner. I tell many people about it. I usually get an amazed response: "hey, this is exactly what happened when my mother/spouse/friend etc. died!" these comments are usually followed by "I wish I knew, then, what it meant", or: "... and we thought he/she lost clarity of mind".
This book should be required reading for anyone who is going to accompany a dear one in the process of dying. Isn't that everyone?
In short: read it!

An easy read and very comforting. It should be required reading for all humans since we all face death.

Final Review is a book everyone who ever plans to leave this planet at the end of life should read! Written by Hospice nurses, it gives actual accounts of those who are facing death, and describes their Nearing Death Awareness. I couldn't put it down. I ordered 7 copies and have given it to ministers and friends. An easy read and very insightful. Lois

Ever wonder if people with fatal diseases think the same or have the same experiences? In this book you will find that, indeed, they do. I was given this book by my sister-in-law as my husband was dying. It was a God-send in that I learned that all those "weird" things he said and did were really part of a process...a very natural process...and was nothing to fear. This book is so supportive and informative. I bought this copy for my new pastor.

This book, written by Hospice nurses, helped me to understand what my Dad was experiencing as he approached death during a 7 week struggle after a stroke. It demysitified Near Death Awareness and taught me how to talk with him about dying in a way that brought both of us comfort. I feel closer to my Dad and much less afraid of death myself. In our culture we do not honor death as the intregral part of life it is. Final Gifts is truly a gift to those experiencing the death process with a loved one.

My father passed away 6 months ago and my mother is dying of cancer. I am having a more difficult time dealing with my mother whereas her death will be lingering as my father's was quick and unexpected. This book was recommended to me to help handle my emotional reactions and was the answer to questions I didn't even think to ponder.

It provided wonderful support and gratefulnes to the hospice angels.

I received this book last month from a nurse at the hospice where my mom spent the final four days of life as she was dying of gall bladder cancer. I began reading the book a few days before she died, and finished it about a week after she died. (From diagnosis to her passing was only 9 weeks, so I didn't have much of a chance to prepare other than reading this book.)

It was such a great help to me. I've never had someone close to me die, and in reading the book I realized that the things I was doing for and saying to my mother (it's okay to go, we'll miss you but we'll be okay, etc.) were absolutely the things I should have been doing.

I'm not a very religious person, but the book also helped me feel that my mom truly did "go to a better place," so to speak, and that maybe there is something waiting for us after we pass on.

I'm passing this book on to my therapist for her to share with some of her patients who are going through the same thing I did, in the hopes that it will help them as much as it helped me.

As an ordained Episcopal priest I often walk with parishioners through the "valley of the shadow of death" and this book is a compass to guide care givers along the sometimes confusing and almost always painful path. It offers concrete, positive, loving suggestions on how to assist loved ones on the journey from this side to the other side.