You know, from time to time when I am doing some deep searching, or pondering existential questions, I turn to Parabola magazine. It's often too academic when I'm in a lighter mood, but for times of transition it can provide some insights from several religious perspectives. I remember that the issue on "Dying," v.27:2, was particularly good.
Here's the link to back issues:
http://parabola.org/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,6/Itemid,80/
Parabola's Summer 2002 Issue: Dying In the end, death's justice comes to us all, in order to make space for the other candles waiting in the hallway of life to be lit. --from "Godfather Death" Cover:"Journey's End" From Splendor Solis by Salomon Trismosin. London: British Library, 1582. Harley MS 3469. Reproduced by permission of the British Library.
In this issue:
"So Many Tears I Was Searching" by Murray Littlejohn and Edward Tingley - Reflections on the death of George Harrison
"Why We Wash the Dead" by Leslie What - Exploring the Jewish ceremonial washing
"Godfather Death" by Madronna Holden - Storytelling lights the transition
POINT OF VIEW: "'How Long, O Lord?'" by Roger Lipsey
"The Last Note" by Therese Schroeder-Sheker - How music wakens and heals
"Desiring the Crucifixion" by Henry H. Sturtevant - The profundity of the symbol
"No Tragic Confrontation" by Friedrich Nietzsche - A "voluntary" dying
"Apoptosis" by Dror Mevorach - The deliberate death of cells
"A Face of Translucent Beauty" - An Interview with Nancy Poer
ARCS: "Words on Taking Leave"
"The Road of Stars" by Joseph Bruchac - Arriving at the astral plane
"With a Steady Eye" by Rebecca Sachs Norris - Life as preparation
"Consumed by Either Fire or Fire" by Kim Coleman Healy - Thoughts on Thomas Merton
"Journey through the Underworld" - Follow the sun's path
Epicycles - Traditional stories from around the world
"Over the Hill" / Arapaho (Native American)
"The Moon's Message" / Hottentot (African)
"The Water of Everlasting Life" / Afghan - retold by Jenn Cavanaugh
"Time to Die" / European
"Death's Messengers" / Zen
"King Dasaratha's Death" / Hindu - retold by D. K. M. Kartha