The profoundly personal experience of dying ranges from agony to bliss; for most of us it will fall somewhere in between. Without adequate medical care, dying can be horrible. With skillful medical care and attention to the personal experience of the patient and the person's family, dying can be made bearable. When the human dimension of dying is nurtured, for many the transition from life can become as profound, intimate, and precious as the miracle of birth.
— Ira Byock, Dying Well