Dear Ann Landers: Today I attended the funeral of a friend who was kept alive on life support for several months. Too bad they didn't let him go peacefully. Hospital beds in intensive care cost over $2,000 a day. A month in such a unit could run $60,000. All the attending physicians agreed that he had no chance of recovery. A year ago, I delivered the eulogy for a wonderful woman. "Myrtle" died peacefully, without life support. Her family found the enclosed Ann Landers column, dated 1971, in Myrtle's Bible. Across the top she wrote, "Dear Children: This is my sincere wish, too." Please print it again to help others who must make a similar decision. PASTOR ROGER OSE, AUGUSTANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, MINNEAPOLIS

Thank you for asking. Here it is:

Dear Ann:
The letter from the children of the 90-year-old woman who fell out of bed at the nursing home and broke her hip prompted me to write a letter of instructions to my sons. Please publish it and encourage your readers to write similar letters to their children. God bless you.

SENSIBLE AND REALISTIC

"Dear Sons: This is not a request. It is an order. I have tried to live with dignity and I want to die the same way. Should I become old and ill and unable to make a rational decision, you are instructed to give the physician orders not to attempt to prolong my life by using extraordinary measures. I want no surgery, no cobalt, no blood transfusions and no intravenous feedings. Please see that I get plenty of medication and sedatives. This letter will relieve you of the burden of making the decision because I have made it. My thanks and my love, Mother."

Dear Readers:
And now, for those interested, a new type of living will is available from Harvard Medical School's Health Letter. It's the "Medical Directive" and is sure to cover most of the questions you may have about living wills.
The Medical Directive lists 12 standard medical procedures or treatments, ranging from pain medication to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For each situation there is a place for you to indicate whether you would want medical intervention which might prolong your life.
This Medical Directive includes a proxy form so you can designate someone you trust to make these difficult decisions when you can no longer do so yourself. It also incudes a form enabling you to become an organ donor.
When you and two witnesses sign and date the Medical Directive, it provides legal support for your doctors to carry out your intentions. Check with your attorney general's office to see if the Medical Directive is considered a legal document in your state.
Because this form is new, your doctor may not be familiar with it. Bring it to your next appointment and discuss it. After the Directive has been completed and signed, your doctor should have a copy. You also should give a copy to the person to whom you expect to be closest should you become ill.