Ideas change everything

What really matters at the end of life

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BJ Miller |

TED2015

• March 2015

At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it's simply comfort, respect, love. BJ Miller is a hospice and palliative medicine physician who thinks deeply about how to create a dignified, graceful end of life for his patients. Take the time to savor this moving talk, which asks big questions about how we think on death and honor life.

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it's simply comfort, respect, love. BJ Miller is a hospice and palliative medicine physician who thinks deeply about how to create a dignified, graceful end of life for his patients. Take the time to savor this moving talk, which asks big questions about how we think on death and honor life.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

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About the speaker

Palliative care physician

See speaker profile

Using empathy and a clear-eyed view of mortality, BJ Miller shines a light on health care's most ignored facet: preparing for death.

Learn more

How to Prepare for a Good Death

Wise words and solid advice from BJ Miller, who thinks deeply about the end of life as head of the Zen Hospice Project.

Hospice Action Network

Learn more about the Care Planning Act and how to contact your Senators about this important legislation.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

BJ Miller: What really matters at the end of life | TED Talk