Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation
Global Programming to Support End-of-Life and Grief
Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross published 24 books in 44 languages, including her seminal book, “On Death and Dying” which, even today, is required reading in most major medical, nursing, and psychology programs. In her expansive body of work as a psychiatrist, humanitarian and hospice pioneer, Kübler-Ross discussed care and support for the seriously ill, their families, the grieving and all who struggle with the effects of loss. Over 10 million copies of her books have been sold.
Although best known for the so-called “stage theory” Kübler-Ross's work in fact focused on key emotional reactions to the experience of the dying. It was never a study of grief and bereavement and over the years the idea of "5 stages" has been simplified despite Kübler-Ross’s own repeated warnings that grief is not linear and many of these “stages” overlap.
The Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation is a non-profit organization inspired by the life of Kübler-Ross. Founded one year after her death in 2005 by her son, Ken Ross, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation chapters have been created on four continents. They continue her mission to develop hospice, palliative care, and grief support. In 2019, most of Kübler-Ross’ archives were donated to Stanford University which will create a digital library to make her papers available to the public.