In the final analysis: More wisdom from people who have faced death

Seventeen adults who experienced a life-threatening situation were intervie wed to ascertain what they had learned about life from their confrontation with death. Interview questions focused on participants' philosophies of li fe, their personal regrets and priorities, and their advice to others. Inte rviews were analyzed using qualitative grounded theory and discovery-orient ed techniques. Among the most common themes, the participants advocated les s materialism, more spirituality, and more caring for and serving of others . After their confrontation with death they worried less about mundane issu es and became more optimistic about the future of humankind. Implications f or research and practice are discussed.