2. Anthropology Anthropology: Study of humankind from past societies to present (where we are now) Important to understand how death is understood By us and other cultures

3. Cultural Differences Culture: United set of values, ideas, beliefs and standards of behaviour (way of living) shared by a group of people Each culture is unique! Learning and understanding other cultures helps us understand one another better

4. Death End of physical life Body stops operating (working) Many different ways that cultures handle death Traditions passed on from previous (older) generations

5. “Handling” the Deceased (dead) Two usual rituals (procedure/way) of disposing the body of a deceased: Cremation Interment

6. Cremation Concept from Christianity Burning dead body at very high heat Wait until there is very little left “break” into ashes Stored in an urn (vase) and buried or kept with family members

7. Interment The act of burying a deceased person (someone who has passed away) Tomb in ground

8. Other Practices Sky Burial Placing body on a high ground (e.g. mountain) and leaving it for the birds Birds of prey: Tibet tradition Believed carried souls to heaven E.g. Vultures

9. Other Practices Mummification (Ancient times) Remove all moisture from body Body does not decay

10. Funeral Customs Most common custom among funeral customs Graves grouped together on a plot of land called cemetery or graveyard

11. Newer Customs Ecological Burial: Deep freezing body Allows the body to be buried with corn starch Coffin and contents will become soil Space Burial Rocket launches cremated remains into space

12. Forms of “Death” Capital Punishment: killing of convicted (found guilty) criminal by the state for crimes committed (done) War: a long state of violence between two or more groups Martyrdom: a person is put to death based on his/her beliefs

14. Mourning Time when an individual (or group) responds to the death of a valued being (animal or human) Mourning is experienced by all people throughout their life!

15. Mourning Different lengths of time is spent dealing with the grief and loss 5 stages of Grief Do not always occur in order Move between stages before being peaceful over the loss

17. STAGE 1 Denial and Isolation Deny (refuses to admit) the reality (truth) of the situation Block out the truth to avoid pain (temporary relief)

18. STAGE 2 ANGER Reality and pain comes out in the open Emotions come out as anger Show anger towards objects, strangers, friends/family, doctors

19. STAGE 3 Bargaining Could’ve, Should’ve, Would’ve Normal feelings of thinking how things would be different If I went to the doctor earlier…he could’ve… If only we listened to him…he would’ve… I should’ve said no….

20. STAGE 4 Depression Practical Depression: grief comes from worrying about the loss (how to pay for funeral, losing time with others) Private Depression: less noticeable; you do it on your own; get ready to say “goodbye”

21. STAGE 5 Acceptance Withdrawal and calm – not a period of happiness, but understanding what happened NOT HAPPY NOT DEPRESSION