Should No One Die Alone?

The Urban Dictionary has a new addition: “monatophobia”, which is the fear of dying alone. While dying itself is a deeply personal and solo endeavor, many believe that it is important that people die with the support, comfort, and proximity of others. But for a variety of reasons, individuals in the dying process may not have loved ones - or even familiar ones - nearby. An organization called NODA - No One Dies Alone - has aimed to change that for over a decade. NODA trains volunteers to be present with individuals who have no one to sit vigil with them in the last hours of life. (Click here for more info). What do you think about this? Is it important that no one dies alone? What about people who want to die alone but cannot express this wish? Would you be interested in this type of work? This week,…