CPC 511 : Research Paper : Cultural Aspects of Mourning

Questions that face dying individuals, their families, and the professionals that help them at the end of their lives are explored in this volume. The contributors help the reader to come to terms with issues of mortality complicated by the diversity of cultures within society.
Part 2 covers ethnic considerations; Part 3 covers religious considerations.

This book evaluates existing theories, concepts, and models with the practices of death, dying and bereavement from different societies around the world. The differences in various belief systems and how these influence death, dying and bereavement practices are highlighted, including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Ancestor worship, Afro-Brazilian religions, the belief systems of Native Indians, the Maoris of New Zealand and others. These belief systems will contribute to a better understanding of the existing models of death, dying and bereavement that are examined. An overview of countries in different continents is also provided.

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Pt. 2 Dying, death, and grief among selected ethnic communities.
-- Mourning and funeral customs of African Americans / Hosea L. Perry
-- Mexican American perspectives related to death / Barbara Younoszai
-- Hmong death customs: traditional and acculturated / Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout
--Native Americans: adapting, yet retaining / Martin Brokenleg and David Middleton
-- To honor the dead and comfort the mourners: traditions in Judaism / Barry D. Cytron
-- Death and dying in Buddhism / Ken and Nga Truitner
-- Islamic customs regarding death / Farah Gilanshah
-- Memorial services among Quakers and Unitarians / Donald P. Irish

All societies have their own customs and beliefs surrounding death. In the West, traditional ways of mourning are disappearing, and though science has had a major impact on views of death, it has taught us little about the way to die or to grieve. Many who come into contact with the dying and the bereaved from other cultures are at a loss to know how to offer appropriate and sensitive support. Death and Bereavement Across Cultures, provides a handbook with which to meet the needs of doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors and others involved in the care of the dying and bereaved. Written by international authorities in the field, this important text: * describes the rituals and beliefs of major world religions * explains their psychological and historical context * shows how customs change on contact with the West * considers the implications for the future This book explores the richness of mourning traditions around the world with the aim of increasing the understanding which we all bring to the issue of death.