Resources & References

Everything You Need to Go Deeper

Forms, books, links, and presentation materials — gathered in one place to support your advance directive journey.

Advance Directive Forms

State-Specific Forms & Documents

State-specific forms for completing your Advance Directive, plus supplemental documents for special circumstances.

Five Wishes

The most widely used Advance Directive in the U.S. — covers medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes.

Download →

State-Specific AD Forms

CaringInfo provides free, legally valid Advance Directive forms for all 50 states.

Find Your State →

POLST / MOLST Forms

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment — for those with serious illness or frailty.

Find Your State →

DNR / DNI Orders

Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Intubate orders — how they work and when to request them.

Learn More →

Dementia Addendum

A supplemental document allowing you to specify wishes specifically for dementia scenarios.

Learn More →

Residential Facility Addendum

Additional provisions for those living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

View Forms →

Bibliography

Recommended Reading

These books informed the My Dying Wishes framework and are recommended for anyone wanting to go deeper.

  • Being Mortal — Atul Gawande. Medicine and what matters in the end. Essential reading for patients and families.
  • The Grace in Dying — Kathleen Dowling Singh. A profound exploration of the dying process as spiritual transformation.
  • Final Gifts — Maggie Callanan & Patricia Kelley. Stories from hospice nurses about what the dying teach us.
  • Dying Well — Ira Byock, MD. A hospice physician’s vision of our better dying possibilities.
  • The Art of Dying Well — Katy Butler. A practical guide to a good end of life.
  • Knocking on Heaven’s Door — Katy Butler. One family’s reckoning with America’s end-of-life crisis.
  • With the End in Mind — Kathryn Mannix. What dying is really like — and why it need not be feared.
  • Staring Down the Dragon — Rick Beeman. My Dying Wishes: How I Want to Be Treated as I Go and After I’m Gone.

Helpful Links

Organizations & Online Resources

National Hospice & Palliative Care Org.

Resources for patients, families, and professionals on hospice and palliative care.

nhpco.org →

CaringInfo

Free resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services.

caringinfo.org →

The Conversation Project

Helping people talk about their wishes for care through the end of life.

theconversationproject.org →

Death With Dignity National Center

Information on Medical Aid in Dying laws and advocacy across the U.S.

deathwithdignity.org →

Compassion & Choices

Advocacy, education, and support for end-of-life options and autonomy.

compassionandchoices.org →

POLST.Org

National POLST program — state-by-state forms and provider information.

polst.org →

Presentations & Workshops

Available For Your Community Or Organization

Programs Based on the My Dying Wishes Framework

Rick Beeman offers presentations and workshops for faith communities, healthcare organizations, hospices, senior centers, and professional associations. Programs range from a single 60-minute presentation to a multi-session workshop series that guides participants through all ten steps of the Advance Directive pathway.

PowerPoint materials, workbooks, and facilitation guides are available. Contact us to discuss scheduling and fees.

Introductory Presentation

60–90 minutes. Overview of Advance Directives, the Death Talk, and the My Dying Wishes framework.

Full Workshop Series

4–6 sessions. Guides participants through all ten steps, from Informed Consent to Putting It All Together.

Professional Training

For healthcare teams, social workers, chaplains, and death doulas. CEU credits available upon request.

Ready To Begin Your Own Advance Directive?

Follow our free, step-by-step pathway — from understanding your rights to completing every document.

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