Death and Dying: In Depth Notes

Learning Outcomes

  • Funeral Rituals: Understand and describe the funeral rituals of various religions.
  • Grief Concepts: Differentiate between grief, bereavement, and mourning.
  • Kübler-Ross Model: List the stages of loss and discuss criticisms of this model.
  • Impact of Loss: Recognize the emotional and psychological impact of losing a child and a parent.
  • Tasks of Mourning: Identify the four tasks associated with mourning.
  • Support Groups: Explain why support groups are essential for individuals in grief.

Funeral and Burial Practices in Different Religions

  • Hinduism:

    • Believe in reincarnation.
    • Bodies are cremated as soon as possible.
    • The body is washed, anointed, dressed, and placed on a stand decorated with flowers for cremation.
    • Ashes are typically dispersed in holy rivers after cremation.

  • Judaism:

    • Orthodox practices include washing the body and wrapping it in a simple white shroud; males additionally wrapped in their prayer shawls.
    • The body is placed in a plain wooden coffin.
    • Burial occurs as soon as possible, with a simple service involving prayers and a eulogy.
    • Family gathers to mourn in a practice known as sitting shiva.

  • Islam:

    • Bodies are buried rapidly after death, involving community participation.
    • The body is washed and wrapped in a plain white shroud (kafan).
    • The deceased is buried on their right side facing Mecca.

  • Roman Catholicism:

    • Prior to death, the individual may receive anointing with consecrated oil by a priest.
    • Funeral rites consist of three parts:
    1. Wake: Prayers and eulogies in a funeral home.
    2. Funeral Mass: Opening prayer, Bible readings, communion, and a concluding rite.
    3. Grave Blessing: Prayers and scripture reading at the cemetery.

Understanding Grief, Bereavement, and Mourning

  • Grief: Normal emotional response to loss which can stem from a death or social loss (e.g., loss of a job).
  • Bereavement: The specific period following a loss when grief and mourning occur, influenced by the depth of attachment.
  • Mourning: The cultural process through which individuals adapt to loss, shaped by rituals and beliefs.
    • Common reactions include mental, physical, emotional, and social symptoms:
    • Numbness, anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, despair.
    • Issues with concentration, sleep disturbances, loss of interest in activities, physical symptoms.

Kübler-Ross’s Model of Grief

  • Five Stages of Grief: Proposed by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross (1969, 1975):
    1. Denial
    2. Anger
    3. Bargaining
    4. Depression
    5. Acceptance
    • These stages are not linear and can vary in intensity and sequence for different individuals.
  • Criticism: The notion that denial and acceptance can act as barriers in dealing with grief; experiences may differ significantly between individuals.

Impact of Losing a Child

  • Considered the most distressing form of grief.
  • Bereaved parents face heightened physical and mental health risks, including increased mortality.
  • Women are particularly vulnerable, with a significant percentage experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts post-loss.
  • Factors affecting grief intensity include the age of the child and the nature of their life circumstances (e.g., unmarried adult children).

Loss of Parents in Adulthood

  • Parental loss is common and often less intensely felt than the loss of a child.
  • Adult men living with unmarried mothers may experience greater difficulty during this loss.

Loss of Parents in Childhood

  • Leads to long-term adjustment issues, increased substance abuse, depression, criminal behavior, academic challenges, and lower employment rates.

Red Flags in Grieving Children (Worden, 2002)

  • Signs that may require professional help include:
    • Persistent difficulty discussing the deceased.
    • Destructive or aggressive behavior.
    • Severe anxiety or clinginess.
    • Physical complaints without clear medical causes.
    • Social withdrawal and academic decline.

Four Tasks of Mourning (Worden, 2008)

  1. Acceptance: Recognizing the loss has occurred.
  2. Working through pain: Processing the grief associated with the loss.
  3. Adjusting: Adapting to life without the deceased.
  4. Starting anew: Building life while maintaining a connection with the deceased.

Additional Considerations

  • Reflect on the societal tools available for mourning and the adequacy of these resources.
  • Consider social and emotional developmental factors impacting mourning.
  • Explore the support systems available for grieving individuals.