How do you want to die? I don’t mean choosing between a fiery explosion at 25 versus a protracted illness at 88. I don’t mean when or what from, I mean how. Assuming you are lucky enough to have the time and forewarning to choose. Have you thought about it? Talked about it? For something we will all inevitably do, there is an alarming dearth of conversation around it.

Of course this is because it is an uncomfortable thought, it provokes sadness, anxiety and fear. It is potentially a dark conversation and much less appealing than discussing the minutiae of your day or what you might do if you won Powerball. Lots of people probably don’t even know where to begin in answering a question like this. But most people will be able to answer questions around the specifics if offered some parameters. For example, most people would say yes if asked whether they would like a peaceful death. People who are fortunate enough to have loved ones would usually say that they would like them close by, would like an opportunity to see them, be held by them, be in their presence and even say goodbye.