Dying is a universal human activity, and it shows no sign of abating. Despite the impact of non-smoking campaigns and the value of various screening and early diagnosis initiatives, death will still be 100% fatal for every single one of us. Given we cannot evade it, is it time to face up to death? Should we be planning our own death the way we plan our wedding? Or is there no point planning for something inevitable (and terrifying)? Scott Murray, a leading palliative care researcher, asks when, where and how would you like to die?