Mourir les yeux ouverts

Afflicted with an incurable illness, Yvan Amar made the decision to wait for death in his own home, tranquil, surrounded by family and friends, rather than trying to win a little extra time within the anonymity of a hospital. He faded away peacefully, without suffering, all his affairs in order, in the arms of his wife. He was forty-nine. What makes his story so arresting is its contrast to our society's systematic veiling and refusal of death. In fact, to contemplate death is to envisage life. Based on the experience of this friend of hers who made the choice to "die with eyes open", Marie de Hennezel describes the last moments of life as an occasion of awakening. A profound reflection with a wonderful message of hope, compassion and love.