“Mors Improvisa” (sudden/unexpected/unforeseen death) was considered the worst form of death in the Middle Ages because one could not prepare for death. Contrast that with today where it is generally regarded as the ideal way to die – i.e., in one’s sleep not even knowing that they were sick, or dropping dead of a sudden massive heart attack. While I can understand this perspective in unbelievers, it makes little sense for Christians.

Historians estimate that up to two-thirds of Europe’s population died during the Bubonic plague that decimated Europe in the Middle Ages. Deaths included clergy and other spiritual authorities. With so much death, there weren’t enough clergy to attend to the dying and bury the dead. In response, the church began producing documents known as “Ars Moriendi” to help the laity prepare for death themselves without clergy. Ars Moriendi is Latin for “art of dying.” These handbooks were in widespread use all over the West for more than five hundred years.

In contrast today, the vast majority of Christians tragically don’t want to think about death, much less prepare for it. Western culture’s preoccupation with eternal youth betrays a consuming drive never to face death head on. This is foolish, for all of us will die one day, unless we happen to be alive when Jesus returns. Some Christians hold the hope they will not experience death because of what they believe to be an impending rapture of the church. We need to remember the perfect track record of the many others who held this same hope through the centuries – 100% are dead. (Hal Lindsey, of Late Great Planet Earth fame, was convinced he would remain alive until Christ’s Return; he died in Nov 2024.)

Christians need to face the reality of their inevitable deaths. They need to regain the lost art of Dying Well.