money money money dying well: planning, caregiving & facing death with dignity
Dec 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, health journalist and author Casey Beros shares insights from her book, Next of Kin. She delves into what constitutes a 'good death' and emphasizes the importance of open conversations about death. Casey recounts her journey as a primary caregiver for her father with mesothelioma, revealing the emotional complexities of caregiving often faced by families. She offers practical tips for navigating difficult discussions, creating pre-death rituals, and the role of death doulas, all while highlighting the unexpected richness found in final years.
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What Makes A Good Death
- A good death combines limited medical distress with spiritual readiness and acceptance.
- Normalising death early helps people make peace and plan before crisis hits.
Why She Wrote Next Of Kin
- Casey got the call that her dad had terminal, rapidly progressing cancer and felt there were 'crickets' — no practical guides for families.
- She captured their healthcare journey and wrote Next of Kin to bridge that gap.
Care Is Rarely Fifty-Fifty
- Caregiving rarely splits evenly between siblings because lives, locations and strengths differ greatly.
- Expect imbalance and plan roles to reduce resentment and increase connection.
