What People Really Think About Dying: Lessons from a Graphic Novel on Death and Family Storytelling

Author Hallie Bateman and her mother, Suzy Hopkins, unexpectedly became guides to the taboo topic of mortality after publishing a graphic novel on death. What began as Hallie’s fear of losing her mom turned into a project where Suzy answered her daughter's questions about life advice, and Hallie illustrated the answers in gouache. The book, published when Suzy was in her late 50s, has sparked conversations across generations. Readers have used it to process loss of parents, spouses, and pets, and to leave handwritten notes for their own children in the margins. The response reveals a deep, often unspoken need to talk about dying and to preserve family stories before it's too late. People are not just seeking comfort; they are actively looking for ways to start difficult conversations with aging parents. The book has become a tool for connection, proving that death, when approached with honesty and warmth, can bring families closer. As more readers share their experiences, the authors continue to learn that the fear of loss is universal, but so is the desire to be remembered. The conversation about death is just beginning.