I don't know if it's already common knowledge about who should and who shouldn't do the joining but I figured I'd make a thread just in case.  Feel free to add on.  If you find some contradictions, please post specifics about your characters and when you had them do the Joining. 
 
Edit... meh, deaths are forced; no point to this thread.  Mods, feel free to delete it if you come across it.

So you are implying you can have Mhairi skip the Joining?

I don't know.  I know that you can hold off on doing the joining though.  I didn't because I figured everyone in my group at that point was probably a throwaway character.  She died but I've read elsewhere that she can potentially be a regular member of your party.

you have no choice she dies 20 minutes in no matter what

Nathaniel Howe can survive the joining also.

So can the forest lady and Sigrun.
 
I was wondering, what happens if you try to hang Anders? Would that make Mhairi live in place of Anders?

Everyone I've met besides Mhari have survived it so far. Sucks because I could really have used her in my party, and I liked her more than most of the other characters so far.

 I've read that Mhari defiantely dies, there is no changing that. I suppose Bioware really wanted to come out of left-field with that. Everyone else survives/can survive.

I thought there might be a chance for actual party members to die, especially post ME2.  Oh well, wishful thinking on my part.

Yup. Everyone besides Mhari lives. That aspect of the game is extremely disappointing.

I liked Justice over Mhairi so i really didn't care.

" I liked Justice over Mhairi so i really didn't care. "

My favorite character was easily Nathaniel, but Justice was a close second (and Sigrun third, even though I only had her for a short hour or so because I did her quest last).

I wish they would release dlc/patch that brings Mhairi back to life! She was fun as Oghren(so?) who was annoying gets to live.