5 ways to have a ‘good death’ — including one of the biggest mistakes people make

5 ways to have a ‘good death’ — including one of the biggest mistakes people make 
New York Post; by Reda Wigle; 7/3/25 
No one gets out of life alive — but one expert says we can take steps to make sure we leave the earthly plane riding the high of a “good death.” “While 80% of people want to die at home surrounded by loved ones, only 30% actually do,” End Well founder Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider told The Post. “This massive gap reflects our system’s inability to honor what patients actually value.” As our cultural relationship to mortality has changed, Ungerleider notes that we have become disconnected from the process of death and, in turn, fail to plan appropriately for it. But if you’re not sure where to start, she has a helpful checklist of everything you should be doing to avoid a “bad death.”

• Define what matters most to you — and talk about it ...
• Ask about palliative care early ...
• Define what comfort means to you. ...
• Get clear on your wishes — and put them in writing ...
• Ask hard questions ...