1. History of Grief
Bertha Brannen
2007

2. 1950’s Death was mourned by the community
Death was accepted as part of life, (Story Tante Deline)
Wreath on house for “the world to see”
Widow wore black for a year
Wake held in the home
Children part of the mourning

3. 1960’s Shift to funeral homes
Decreased exposure to viewing the person who had died
Children shielded from death
New “cures” in medicine, increase in antibiotics, hospital deliveries, medicare
Elizabeth Kubler Ross

4. Today Medical breakthrough, cures, new hope
Focus on youth, facelifts, botox
Microwaves, drive through meals, quick fixes, instant gratification
Parental (over)protection
Live like there is no death
Avoid the topic, out of sight, out of mind….don’t wanna face it

5. Judaism Most ancient religion
Based on Obedience to the law: Orthodox (strict) & Conservative
Believe in life continuing after death without eternal punishment
Hope after death

6. Islam Muslim, major American religion Believe in one God
Religion is lived total way if life
Ramadan
God will reward & punish according to deeds; heaven & hell

7. Other cultures Third world HIV, famine, wars; death is a daily event
Zoroastrianism – one world’s (250,000) oldest religions, TO & Vancouver strong belief in afterlife “Death & Tower of Silence” Body left to nature; bleached bones only buried. Enter heaven clean; relatives pray person into heaven (3 days only to do so as soul travels)
Moving time, celebration of moving to God

8. Hindu Spiritual & cultural movement, rather than one “founder”
Believe in one God
Believe in reincarnation until perfected to enter heaven

9. Buddhist Based on teachings of Buddha, born of a miraculous birth
Spirit wanders 49 days after death to find “proper place.”
Need for truth & honesty prior to death
Do not “make a big thing” out of death
Focus is on living

10. Native Spirituality More popular again today
Culture hero intermediating with God
Medicine man; spirit helper
Rituals to maintain harmony with earth
Death offers a continuation of life
Universe is sacred (here)
Give account of how gifts on earth were used
Spirits can return to warn loved ones

11. References Dr Douglas Smith, Being a Wounded Healer
Tom Harpur, Life After Death