Death Becomes Her: Creative Nonfictionand the Rhetoric of Death Acceptance: Exploring Mortality through the Works of Caitlin Doughty

Originally submitted as a doctoral thesis at the University of Bucharest, Romania, 2023, under the title: "Contemporary Death-Acceptance Literature. Caitlin Doughty’s Creative Nonfiction." The genesis of this book is rooted in my profound desire to overcome the pervasive fear of death that pervades my every step. However, my quest for answers eventually led me to ponder the question of “How?” in a tireless search that took me deep into the heart of the death positivity movement. Along the way, I encountered some of the most prominent figures in this field, including Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, Caitlin Doughty, Carla Valentine, Sue Black, and Paul Koudounaris, among many others. Through their books, public lectures, and their unwavering commitment to the community, they have illuminated the areas where we are deficient and provided us with the insights needed to improve our relationship with the Grim Reaper. Yet, the story goes far beyond this.