Death is sometimes said to be hidden, even taboo. Ask 10 people whether they have ever been with someone who was dying. Note not only the yes and no answers but also the details and reactions. For instance, how many of the deaths occurred in hospitals?

Find quotes about death in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations or a similar collection. Do you see any historical or cultural patterns of acceptance, denial, or fear?

Every aspect of dying is controversial in modern society. Do an Internet search for a key term such as euthanasia or grief. Analyze the information and the underlying assumptions.

People of varying ages have different attitudes toward death. Ask people of different ages (ideally, at least one person younger than 20, one adult between 20 and 60, and one older person) what thoughts they have about their own death. What differences do you find?