Table 3 Eight important categories of “Desirable Death” and nine important items common to all generations

(1) Preparation for death

Know medical condition and life expectancy

Know the disease/condition and life expectancy

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Be prepared for and accept death

Both patient and family are accepting of death (*)

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Family can accept death (after it occurs)

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To be dead according to the thought of surrounding people (surrounding people's agree)

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Leave thoughts in a will and testament

Do not have to worry about death

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Thinking about own death in daily life

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Write the ending notes, wills, or testaments

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(2) Satisfaction with life

To feel that one has lived until fulfilling one’s life purpose (i.e., not dying prematurely)

Not die earlier than expected (time of death must be as predicted)

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To feel that one has lived until fulfilling one’s life purpose (i.e., not dying prematurely) (*)

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Having no regrets

Having no regrets (*)

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I think I did something I wanted to do

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Mourning one’s/your death

Mourning one’s/your death

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A life that can be remembered even after death

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(3) Reliable medical environment

Receiving enough treatment

Discussing end-of-life medical care to be provided

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Receiving enough treatment

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Participating in decisions about treatment

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Not being treated to prolong life

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Being able to choose dignity in death

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Reliable medical environment and staff

A safe medical environment is in place

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Having a reliable doctor nearby

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(4) Good family relationship

Having family support and people around

Having someone to count on

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A person with whom you can be vulnerable will care for you until the end

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Both patient and family consent to enough nursing care

Not being a burden to family members (*)

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Care period is not long

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Good relationship with family of nursing care (*)

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Family members can proactively provide nursing care

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Receiving enough nursing care

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(5) Independence for oneself

Being able to do what one hoped at the end

Being able to do what one hoped at the end

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Living as usual until the end

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Having fun living

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Independence for oneself in daily activities

Eat by myself until the end

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Go to the bathroom by myself

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Having intention to communicate and move until just before death

Having intention until death (consciousness/communication)

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Being fine until just before death

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Bedridden time is short

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No dementia

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(6) No physical and psychological distress

Being free from physical distress

Being free from physical distress (*)

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Not suffering breathing difficulties

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Being free from emotional distress

Not angry or complaining

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Being free from emotional distress (*)

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(7) Dying in a favorite place

Being able to stay in one’s favorite place

Being able to stay in one’s favorite place (*)

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Feel at ease in the environment

Spending time in places and with people without hesitation

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Spend end of life with the family

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Good environment around the deathbed

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(8) Attending the deathbed

Seeing people whom one wants to see

Seeing people whom one wants to see

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Saying important things to dear people

Expressing thanks to people

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The family can tell the patient what they want to say

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Telling dear people what one wants to say

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Family present at the deathbed

Family rushes to the deathbed (including those who live far away)

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To die surrounded by family

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Family present at the deathbed (*)

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To die unexpectedly and effortlessly

To die unexpectedly and effortlessly

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Not sudden death

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