title: Why Am I Here?
abstract: In this essay I reflect on the meaning of death in life. Drawing on experiences as a practicing family physician providing care for dying patients and being witness to the deaths of family members, I argue for greater efforts to explicitly and openly support frank discussions about death and dying. I endorse the recommendations of the Royal Society of Canada expert panel, and point out remaining challenges that must be met regardless of whether there is a change in the legal structures regarding the permissibility of aid in dying. I conclude by arguing that understanding death in our lives helps shape its meaning and human significance.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health Canada Research Chair in Primary Care Research, Medical Director, Clinical Research, Bridgepoint Health, University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Ross E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Upshur