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Befriending Death

Author:	James Woodward
Published By:	SPCK (London)
Pages:	111
Price:	£8.99
ISBN:	0 281 05370 7

Reviewed by Chris Skilton.

James Woodward is an Anglican priest who has had considerable experience of working with the dying in a variety of parishes, medical centres and communities in this country. He has written an excellent resource for ministers and lay members of churches who are involved in ministry to the sick and dying - and who in doing so may also be facing questions about their own frailty, mortality and death. There are good chapters on listening to those who are dying,  living with terminal illness and preparing for and facing death and preparing for one’s own and another’s funeral.

The chapters include some helpful ‘dos and don’ts’ of pastoral care and some simple and moving stories from people facing these circumstances. There is also a sensitively written chapter reflecting on how the cross and resurrection can speak into these situations. Each chapter includes some questions for further reflection or exercises to help bring the material into personal focus.

The final sections of the book include some helpful prayers and spiritual readings (‘Death is nothing at all’ helpfully not included!) and some basic practical information, details of useful organisations and websites. These will quickly go out of date which will necessitate regular updating, but the book would be a useful pastoral resource for some years.