Table 3.

Theme, subthemes, and quotations of Perspectives of a Good Death (New).

The Perspective of a Good Death		Patient	Caregiver	Physician
Theme 1 Peaceful natural progression and symptom-free
1.1 Symptom-free	No pain, dyspnea, or agitation	“A good death is probably without pain.”	“When in pain, doctors can help, giving him medication to relieve his pain.”	“Not in pain, no suffering. Dying in your sleep might be a fair option.”
1.2 The peaceful and natural progression of the disease	No suffering from the disease or unnecessary interventions	“Dying in your sleep, just gone. Not murdered.”	“Never having to see a doctor, never really sick. Being able to spend life normally. Then she was just gone, without an obvious cause, without suffering.”	“Sometimes invasive procedures might not be what the patient wants, fighting without getting any benefit in this painful cycle.”
Theme 2 Acceptance of death with dignity
2.1 autonomy	Knowing the disease/prognosis, being able to choose/plan, staying conscious, having sufficient time to prepare, and death not sudden	“When talking with doctors, even if it is not good news, at least it helps me think about things I have not thought of before.”	“People with diseases: if they know it is not getting any better and can prepare, they can have a good death.”	“Knowing what diseases they have. Getting everything ready, preparing everything, and having sufficient time to do so.”
2.2 Self-worth	Fulfilling the duty/role of a parent/child, setting a decent example, and leaving something good behind	“My morale came from my mother, so I do not want to die before her. I want to take care of her first.”	“She must be worried for her mother. If she can return the favor, she will be at peace.” “Do something beneficial for society, for the public, for the ones we left behind.”
2.3 acceptance of the death/dying process	Understanding the cycle of life, knowing how to deal with it, letting go, being at peace (not worried), happy (self and others),	“Understanding death more, not being afraid to die. We let go and accept more.”	“Calm our minds before we go, do not worry. Even if we do, we would not be able to help those left behind.”	“Having nothing to worry about. The family might feel sorrow but accepts death.”
		“If we are comfortable, others will feel it too. But if we are not at peace, others may feel helpless.”	“Be happy. If we know that we are going to die next week, be your best self and make others happy.”
Theme 3 The readiness for death is facilitated by social support and the environment
3.1 Support from others: family and providers	Giving encouragement, communicating sincerely, being present, and not abandoning	“Communication: it makes our state of mind and overall conditions better.”	“Make her comfortable, not stressed. Learn about her cancer and provide the best care.”	“Provide information to the patient and his parents. Consult with the specialists. Prepare necessary equipment. And encourage every day.”
	Caring, dependable, well-mannered, have good medical expertise	“Devoted, taking care, and communicating makes you feel wonderful and not abandoned.”	“No one is likely to be more able than doctors. I believe in them, in the science.” “When doctors explain, the patient will listen to them more than us, promoting insight.”	“I feel that if we could stop the bleeding (control the symptom) better, things would be better.”
3.2 Not being a burden	The physical, financial, and psychological burden	“If we die unhappy, agitated, crying, not wanting to expire, others will feel miserable.”	“Not being a burden to ones left behind, do your best in life.”	“We have to manage existing problems: familial, financial, work because dying without preparation will be burdensome to those left behind.”
3.3 place of death	Peaceful comfort of home	“The place has to be quiet and peaceful, like home.”	“Home is good; the family can closely take care of him. Hospital is also decent, with doctors and nurses.”	“Dying at home, a place where we are familiar with, feeling comfortable.”
Theme 4 Faith and religious values can bring peace
4.1 faith	Merit making, released from suffering, the afterlife	“Dying peacefully, without disturbance. I will meditate until I am gone.”	“Die peacefully and go to heaven because of the merits we made.”	“When we die, we might be reborn in a better place or go to heaven.”