That's the natural order of things, whether we like it or not. Farber teaches medical students about how to treat patients with life-threatening illnesses. He is also part of the team of doctors who follow patients to nursing homes when they are discharged from UW Medical Center. Farber says the first challenge facing family members and medical professionals alike is to listen to the reaction of the person who's been told he or she has a life-threatening condition. It is important to empty your expectations, and let the person speak.
Some people find that knowing of their coming death provides an opportunity to grow.
They may take up an art, reconcile themselves with estranged friends and relatives, and tell stores about their life experiences. The anticipation of death provides an opportunity to deliberately bring one's life to a conclusion. Death brings an awareness of living that may be missing among those who are not confronted with its reality. The character Emily dies while giving birth, is reunited with dead family and friends, and tries to return to visit the living. She learns that the living do not appreciate the everyday moments of life.