Real people: setting the stage for the book -- The source of these final conversations -- What are final conversations? -- Americans and death-why is it so difficult? -- Why communicate at the end? -- Why look at the livings' (not the dyings') perspective? -- I love you . . . goodbye -- Loving the dying in intimate relationships -- Don't leave yet! -- Nothing more to say -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Everyday messages: taking care of business -- I'm not dead yet! -- Maintaining the relationship for now -- Preserving the relationship into the future -- Problems with everyday messages -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Grace happens: spiritual messages -- Witnessing faith -- Experiencing spirit -- Creating community -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Beyond words: the power of nonverbal communication -- See me; feel me; hear me -- The meaning of space and time -- The importance of "stuff" -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Heartache released: healing damaged relationships -- Cleaning up the mess -- Letting go: forgiving, accepting, and acknowledging -- Receiving the surprise apology -- Closing a door, opening a window -- Don't make it worse -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Growing up: maturing through fc-talk -- Children's fc-talk: being real -- Teens' fc-talk: a crash course in adulthood -- Young adults' fc-talk: challenges in changing times -- Mature adults: role changes and getting real (again) -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Going on: new directions for the living -- A new attitude: lessons learned -- New plans, new paths -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- You can too: communication skills for fc-talk -- Why engage in fc-talk? -- How to get ready for fc-talk -- When to ask for help.