Includes index

Real people: setting the stage for the book -- The source of these final conversations -- What are final conversations? -- Americans and death-why is it so difficult? -- Why communicate at the end? -- Why look at the livings' (not the dyings') perspective? -- I love you . . . goodbye -- Loving the dying in intimate relationships -- Don't leave yet! -- Nothing more to say -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Everyday messages: taking care of business -- I'm not dead yet! -- Maintaining the relationship for now -- Preserving the relationship into the future -- Problems with everyday messages -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Grace happens: spiritual messages -- Witnessing faith -- Experiencing spirit -- Creating community -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Beyond words: the power of nonverbal communication -- See me; feel me; hear me -- The meaning of space and time -- The importance of "stuff" -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Heartache released: healing damaged relationships -- Cleaning up the mess -- Letting go: forgiving, accepting, and acknowledging -- Receiving the surprise apology -- Closing a door, opening a window -- Don't make it worse -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Growing up: maturing through fc-talk -- Children's fc-talk: being real -- Teens' fc-talk: a crash course in adulthood -- Young adults' fc-talk: challenges in changing times -- Mature adults: role changes and getting real (again) -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Going on: new directions for the living -- A new attitude: lessons learned -- New plans, new paths -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- You can too: communication skills for fc-talk -- Why engage in fc-talk? -- How to get ready for fc-talk -- When to ask for help -- Our wish for you -- Epilogue -- Appendix

"Final conversations can take place any time between a terminal diagnosis and the loved one's death. The communication needs of the survivors who must go on living are the focus in this book. Direct quotations from 'the Living' merge with the authors' advice about what may work for the reader"--Provided by publisher