Our Last Best Act: Planning for the End of Our Lives to Protect the People and Places We Love

As we begin to contemplate death and to embark on practical planning for life's end, many of us long to leave a legacy beyond a transfer of money and property--one that ensures a sustainable earth for our loved ones, our communities, and generations to come. But where do we even begin?

With the sudden deaths of both of her parents, Mallory McDuff found herself in a similar position. Utterly unprepared both emotionally and practically, she began to research sustainable practices around death and dying, determined to honor their commitment to caring for the earth. For McDuff, an educator and environmentalist, what started as a highly personal endeavor expanded into a yearlong exploration and assessment of green burials, aquamation, green cemeteries, home funerals, and human composting.

In Our Last Best Act, McDuff bridges the gap between environmental action and religious faith by demonstrating that when the two are combined, they become a powerful force for the greater good. Full of practical information and support, this book equips readers to make decisions for their own end-of-life planning. In a world experiencing a climate crisis and a culture that avoids discussions about death and dying, this book opens the conversation about the choices we make--and how it's possible for our death to honor our values, create a sustainable legacy, and help to heal the earth.

Author: Mallory McDuff
Publisher: Broadleaf Books
Published: 12/07/2021
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.47lbs
Size: 7.96h x 5.09w x 0.64d
ISBN: 9781506464466

About the Author
Stevens, Becca: -

Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, priest, social entrepreneur, founder, and president of Thistle Farms. Her work has been profiled on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, and in The New York Times. Her awards include CNN Hero, White House Champion of Change, and Humanitarian of the Year by the Small Business Council of America.

McDuff, Mallory: - Mallory McDuff teaches environmental education at Warren Wilson College outside Asheville, North Carolina. With her two daughters, she lives on campus in a 900-square-foot house with an expansive view of the Appalachian mountains. She is the author of four books, including Natural Saints: How People of Faith Are Working to Save God's Earth. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Rumpus, Sojourners, and more.