Abstract
Aging is a worldwide phenomenon that gained prominence in recent decades. In this context, death appears as a complicated matter because it is a taboo in Western culture. In light of existential phenomenology, this project analyzed the experience of seniors over 80 who consider they have prepared for death. Several initiatives on their part permeating financial, emotional, social, corporal, material and spiritual issues have been verified. These initiatives were proven to be attempts to ensure the quality of the remainder of their life as well as the well being of their family and friends even after their passing. Thus, it is clear that “the only certainty of death is life”, that is, getting in touch with finitude makes it possible to find the possibilities of life that make it worth living.
Keywords:
aging; death; attitude to death; phenomenology; hermeneutics