"These patients suffered less, were physically more capable, and were better able, for a longer period, to interact with others. Moreover, six months after the patients died their family members were much less likely to experience persistent major depression. In other words, people who had substantive discussions with their doctor about their end-of-life preferences were far more likely to die at peace and in control of their situation, and to spare their family anguish."
—In another one of those “this is why I subscribe” New Yorker articles, Atul Gawande (of Better) writes about death. It will come to us all, but generally not as we would have chosen - if we had thought about it beforehand.
