[Dottore]

All good advice.

I agree with the business of asking questions. I also agree with the business of asking how the person feels about death. I think many people are too polite to raise this question, and in my experience it is the one issue people really want to - and need to - talk about when they are dying. They need to unburden themselves about this.

I had this conversation once with my cousin and once with my best friend. They're the hardest conversations I ever had - particularly since I'm not a religious man and do not have a lot of solace to offer. But I think in each case the very fact that the subject was addressed squarely and not politely ignored meant the world to these people.