16.4 Summary

Death and Hope

1. Thanatology is the study of death and dying, a topic that has always led to strong emotions. Currently, fewer people have personally witnessed the dying process than in the past.

2. In ancient times, death was considered a connection between the living, the dead, and the spirit world. People respected the dead and tried to live their lives so that their own death and afterlife would be good.

3. Every religion includes rituals and beliefs about death. These vary a great deal, but all bring hope to the living and strengthen the community.

4. Death has various meanings, depending partly on the age of the person involved and whether that person is themselves dying or in mourning for someone else. For example, young children are more concerned about being separated from those they see every day whereas adults tend to worry about leaving something undone or abandoning family members, especially children.

5. Terror management theory finds that some emerging adults cope with anxiety about death by defiantly doing whatever is considered risky for their health. Adults are concerned about their own life plans; older adults are more accepting of death.

Choices in Dying

6. Everyone wants a good death, one that is painless and at the end of a long life. This may be more possible today than in earlier times. However, other aspects of a good death—quick, at home, surrounded by loved ones—may be less likely.

7. The emotions of people who are dying may change over time. Some may move from denial to acceptance, although stages of dying vary much more than originally proposed. Honest conversation helps many, but not all, dying persons.

8. Hospice caregivers meet the biological and psychological needs of terminally ill people and their families. This can occur at home or at a specific place. Palliative care relieves pain and other uncomfortable aspects of dying, and provides emotional support to patients and their families.

9. Drugs that produce a double effect—reducing pain as well as hastening dying—are acceptable to many. However, both passive and active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are controversial. A few nations allow some forms of these, but most do not.

10. Since 1980, death has been defined as occurring when brain waves stop; however, many modern measures can prolong life when no conscious thinking occurs. The need for a more precise, updated definition is apparent, but professionals are not sure what that new definition should be.

11. A living will and a health care proxy are recommended for everyone, although it is impossible to anticipate the possible interventions that may occur when someone is dying. Family members as well as professionals often disagree about specifics.

Affirmation of Life

12. Grief is overwhelming sorrow. It may be irrational and complicated, absent, or disenfranchised.

13. Mourning rituals channel human grief, helping people move to affirm life. Most people are able to do this.