Join AARP
Join for Just $16 A Year
- Discounts on travel and everyday savings
- Subscription to AARP The Magazine
- Free membership for your spouse or partner
Can a Minister Heed His Own Lessons of Death?
The Reverend Forrest Church never expected to live past 60, since all the men in his family — including former United States Senator Frank Church —had died before reaching that age.
So when Reverend Church was diagnosed three years ago with terminal cancer, he decided to go public with his imminent "progress" toward death. His hope was to help others find their way to a "good death," if that was possible, as he had counseled others to do for more than 30 years as a Unitarian minister.
In April, a three-month-long series of talks began between Church and writer Carl Lehmann-Haupt, in which they covered issues ranging from questioning the afterlife to having regrets to finally accepting death. "We're all terminally ill," Church said. "Life is a gift that comes with death attached."
In the end, Church focused on life, love, faith, and family. He died on Sept. 24, 2009, a day after his 61st birthday.
The conversations are the final gift Church gave us—a roadmap of how it's possible to live a good life to the end.
the
Forrest Church Diaries
A Good Life to the End
When Reverend Forrest Church was diagnosed three years ago with terminal cancer, he decided to go public with his imminent "progress" toward death. His hope was to help others find their way to a "good death," if that was possible, as he had counseled others to do for more than 30 years as a Unitarian minister. More
Services & Discounts
From companies that meet the high standards of service and quality set by AARP.
Members save on worldwide rail vacations, tours and train tickets with Vacations By Rail.
Members save 5% on monthly service and usage charges with Consumer Cellular.
Members save 10% on Mondays and 10% on Weekend Lunch at Outback Steakhouse.
Members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. Join Today
