Tani Bahti, RN, CT, CHPN
For my nursing career of over 50 years, I’ve been driven by a single passion: improving how we prepare and care for those experiencing the end-of-life journey.
Why This Work Matters to Me
I’ve witnessed too often how fear and misinformation shape end-of-life decisions and experiences—not just for patients, but for families left struggling to know what’s happening or what to do.
This work is both professional and deeply personal. As a hospice nurse and educator, I’ve witnessed hundreds of end-of-life journeys, sitting beside patients and families in their most vulnerable moments. I also have lived experience from the perspective as a daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend navigating my own losses through progressive illness, sudden death, and suicide. Together, these experiences have shown me the recurring questions, fears, and needs that are too often left unaddressed.
This strengthened my commitment to help people talk about and prepare for death in ways that are less frightening and easier to understand, while honoring their own beliefs and desires.
How I Can Help You
With a Certification in Thanatology (CT) and Certification in Hospice & Palliative Care (CHPN), I serve as a compassionate guide, providing education, support, and resources through classes and workshops to help you and your loved ones prepare for end-of-life with clarity and confidence.
My Work
Over my career, I have:
- Presented over 2,000 classes and workshops locally and nationally to healthcare professionals, families, and community groups
- Produced the award-winning video Living Through Dying – The Struggle for Grace
- Authored the book Dying to Know: Straight Talk About Death & Dying
- Developed the Straight Talk Series on End-of-Life Care
- Created clinical training programs for medical and nursing students and hospice volunteers
- Served as founder and executive director of Passages – Support & Education in End of Life Issues (2009-2015), a non-profit program providing compassionate guidance through support, education, and research
Selected Publications
Dying to Know: Straight Talk About Death & Dying (2006)
“From Fear to Understanding – Demystifying the Dying Process,” The ADEC Forum (2010) Published by Association for Death Education and Counseling
“Journey’s End” booklet (Carondelet Health Network)
“The Missing Piece in End of Life Decision-making,” NAELA Healthcare Section Newsletter (2009-2013) – National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
“On Death & Dying” in Difficult Conversations: Nurses Share Lessons From Cancer’s Frontline, CURE Media Group (2011)
“Coping Issues Among People Living With Advanced Cancer,” Seminars in Oncology Nursing (2010)
[Full publications list available upon request]Media Productions
Living Through Dying – The Struggle for Grace (2004)
Facing the Fears – Straight Talk to Families about the Dying Process (2006)
Facing Your Fears – Straight Talk about the Dying Process (2006)
Selected Presentations
Association for Death Education & Counseling • International Work Group on Death, Dying & Bereavement • Oncology Nursing Society • National Council on Aging/American Society on Aging • University of Arizona College of Medicine and College of Nursing • Hospice of El Paso • and many more