By Simon Boas
When Jersey aid worker Simon Boas was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer at 46, he chose not despair, but reckoned with death openly—and warmly. His reflections became a viral series in his local paper, transforming into the bestselling book A Beginner’s Guide to Dying. More than a meditation on death, it’s a hymn to living with greater clarity, gratitude, and joy (The Times, The Times).
🧭 A Different Kind of Guide
This 160-page gem doesn’t shy away from mortality. Instead, Boas frames dying as one of life’s greatest teachers. He shares candid, poignant, and often humorous insights—from his adventurous youth to life as a humanitarian—showing how acceptance brings peace .
🗝️ Cornerstones of His Wisdom
1. Celebrate Life — Even in Farewell
Boas writes:
“To exist is to have won the lottery of life.”
He urges us to cherish every moment, big or small (Barnes & Noble).
2. Speak to the Dying with Heart
Rather than empty platitudes, he advises:
- “Do get in touch, but don’t just turn up unaccounted.”
- “Do listen, but don’t minimise things.”
His guidance helps readers support loved ones with genuine empathy and respect (Barnes & Noble).
3. Embrace Acceptance—and Perspective
Boas found clarity and calm in embracing impermanence. He credits practices like gratitude, meditation, and even psilocybin therapy for easing the fear of dying (The Guardian).
📣 Reception & Impact
- The book became a bestseller in the UK and reached #2 on Amazon before its release (The Times).
- It is praised as a “funny, touching meditation on death” by the Sunday Times, and “extraordinary” by The Observer (Swift Press).
- His wife, Aurélie, describes how Simon’s joyful acceptance resonated deeply—and continues to touch lives worldwide (The Times).
🛠️ A Guide for the Living & the Dying
Whether you’re facing your own mortality or supporting someone who is, Boas’s book offers:
- Compassionate advice for genuine connection at the end of life.
- Life-affirming clarity from accepting death rather than denying it.
- A reminder that living fully—even with limited time—is not only possible but transformational.
🧭 Final Thoughts
A Beginner’s Guide to Dying isn’t about escaping death—it’s about responding to it with humor, hope, and honesty. In confronting mortality, Simon Boas gifts us a lens to live more fully, love more deeply, and speak more meaningfully while we can.
Have you thought about your own “beginner’s guide” to mortality?
Share your reflections—on life, death, or both—in the comments. Let’s support each other in living well, together.