The ‘good death’ vs. chaos: exploring meaninglessness in the context of traumatic death The concept of the ‘good death’ is commonly used in the field of palliative care, denoting dignified, peaceful and meaningful dying (Walters, Palliative Care, 18, 404–408, 2004). But what if we could not plan such a death? Existentialism firmly places death as an unavoidable, inevitable principle of existence (Yalom, Existential Psychotherapy. Basic Books, 1980). However, what is not so absolute is how we die. Often, when prompted, our visions of death relate to some form of peaceful, painless passage into a comforting beyond or a formless nothingness, surrounded by those who care for and love us. Contrary to this, many people will not die this way. In fact, some will be subject to painful and violent deaths, often void of the comforting presence of loved ones at their bedside. What of meaning in these circumstances? This chapter will attempt to explore the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ death dichotomy in relation to meaning(lessness), addressing the relationship between the inevitability of death as an existential given and the chaos of sudden and violent traumatic death. The chapter will draw on empirical data with individuals bereaved through suicide, traffic collisions and Covid-19 and members of their social network.