A good death: Andrea Ucini illustrates how to die well

A new illustrated book, How to Die Well, teaches us how to practically and emotionally prepare for death

An illustration depicting a couple separated by a broken bridge with a stream and greenery below the bridge
(Image credit: andreaucini.com)
By Hannah Silver
last updated

Death can be a difficult topic to discuss, and despite its inevitability we can be left feeling surprised or unprepared when confronted with it. A new book, How to Die Well, aims to change this by looking at the four stages of death, from ‘Before you Go’ and ‘Your Funeral’, to ‘Saying Goodbye’ and ‘Good Grief’.

The book, produced by life insurance company Royal London and creative agency Rankin, explores these processes through illustrations by Italian-born, Denmark-based artist, Andrea Ucini. Ucini’s understated style makes a poignant foil for the complexity of the subject matter, with his neat images drawing everyday scenes in simple linework. The muted colour palette and pure form gently subvert the mundane, with the prosaic nature of his portraits lending acceptance to death’s role in life.

A black tophat on a brown floating shelf with a yellow coat hanging below. Below the yellow coat are green wellies with a sleeping dog on the side. Captured against a green wall

Saying Goodbye - Pets and Death

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

An illustration depicting a Muslim funeral with 2 men sitting by the open grave on the grass on the right and 2 other men on the left of the grave

Muslim Final Goodbye

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

In Saying Goodbye, a couple are divided by a fractured bridge. In Pets and Death, a dog rests behind his owner’s unworn coat and boots which dress an invisible profile. In Before You Go, a couple pause a bike ride to hold each other. Your Funeral depicts a solitary pianist returning to the stage for his final bow, Good Grief a woman embracing emptiness.

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The illustrations are a complement to the book which, alongside practical advice from settling estates to writing a will and saying the final goodbyes, offers personal essays; including from photographer Rankin who reflects on his parents’ death. It looks into often stressful issues including palliative care, funeral poverty and assisted dying in a bid to open the conversation around death

An illustration depicting a woman tiptoed and hugging nothing with a mand brown shoes at her feet. Captured against a blue background

Good Grief

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

An illustration depicting a pianist on his final curtain call walking off stage towards a red curtain with his piano and chair on a stage filled with roses

Your Funeral

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

An illustration depicting a man by the sea giving a young boy (with his dad behind him) his miniature sailboat

Before You Go

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

A figure under a tree by the stream watching an occupied boat sail away

Saying Goodbye

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

An illustration depicting a couple standing cuddled up on a green field by the stream, standing by a tree where their bicycle is rested on

Before You Go

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

An illustration of man sitting on a blue chair and matching table writing on a paper captured against a yellow background

Before You Go - Writing a Will

(Image credit: andreaucini.com)

INFORMATION

How to Die Well is available for free download at royallondon.com/how-to-die-well

andreaucini.com

Topics
Illustration Books
Hannah Silver

Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.