In Mallory McDuff’s latest book, Our Last Best Act, Bishop Brian Cole asks, “How should we die in order to heal ourselves and the planet? How are we going to live beyond our death?”
As we begin to contemplate death and to embark on practical planning for life’s end, many of us long to leave a legacy beyond a transfer of money and property–one that ensures a sustainable earth for our loved ones, our communities, and generations to come. But where do we even begin?
With the sudden deaths of both of her parents, Mallory McDuff found herself in a similar position. Utterly unprepared both emotionally and practically, she began to research sustainable practices around death and dying, determined to honor their commitment to caring for the earth. For McDuff, an educator and environmentalist, what started as a highly personal endeavor expanded into a yearlong exploration and assessment of green burials, aquamation, green cemeteries, home funerals, and human composting.
In Our Last Best Act, McDuff bridges the gap between environmental action and religious faith by demonstrating that when the two are combined, they become a powerful force for the greater good. Full of practical information and support, this book equips readers to make decisions for their own end-of-life planning. In a world experiencing a climate crisis and a culture that avoids discussions about death and dying, this book opens the conversation about the choices we make–and how it’s possible for our death to honor our values, create a sustainable legacy, and help to heal the earth.
Stay tuned for book discussion group opportunities.
Where to Find a Copy
Copies of Our Last Best Act are available at local booksellers like Union Ave Books in Knoxville. The book will be widely available beginning Tuesday, December 7, 2021.
About the Author
Mallory McDuff is a leader in the field of environmentalism and the author of several books, including Natural Saints: How People of Faith Are Working to Save God’s Earth. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. She teaches environmental education at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives on campus with her two daughters in a 900-square-foot house with an expansive view of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina.