1. Death and Afterlife Beliefs13
Death and Afterlife Beliefs

2. Physical Aspects of Death

3. Use figure to discuss the changes in causes of death from 1840 to present.
Highlight change from infectious disease to heart disease or cancer
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Figure Causes of Death in Massachusetts from the 1840s–Present As infectious diseases were effectively prevented and treated, deaths due to heart disease and cancer increased. Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health

4. The Demography of Death Major Cause of Death Today
One major cause of death is cardiovascular disease
Arteries that supply blood become narrow due to plaque build up
Symptom:
Angina Pectoris—severe pain in chest, neck and left arm
Can have a heart attack—weakness, dizziness, confusion, and shortness of breath

5. The Demography of Death Cardiovascular Disease
Men have higher rates of heart disease than women
African American rates high, Latino and Asian American lowest
Highest rates in eastern European countries and low in southern Europe
Risk factors include: Diet, cigarette smoking, and lack of exercise (obesity)
Highlight that leading cause of death in developed countries is CVD

6. The Demography of Death Cancer
Occurs in later adulthood because cell replication becomes less efficient as people age
Symptoms vary but can include weight loss, fatigue, and weakness
L.O.13.2

7. The Demography of Death Cancer
Cancer is more common among men than women
Risk factors include: smoking, diet, excessive alcohol use, and chronic exposure to sunlight
Strongly genetic and consequence of aging
L.O.13.2

8. Beyond Death: The Sources of Aging
Aging impacted by cellular clock
Cell replication is limited—Hayflick limit
Limitation caused by the telomere
Each replication shortens the telomere which impacts life expectancy
Regulating telomeres is a way to extend Hayflick limit
Preventing free radicals through antioxidants may also impact aging

9. Beyond Death Can Aging Be Reversed?
Growth hormone—can increase muscle mass and bone density
DHEA-hormone involved in muscle growth
No clear benefit as yet
Reduced caloric intake has had some positive results

10. Sociocultural and Emotional Responses to Death

11. The Sociocultural Contexts of Death Where We Die
In developing countries most die at home
In developed countries only 20% die at home
Many prefer to die in comfort but in developed countries that is a challenge due to causes of illness
Highlight the challenge is due to type of diseases in developed countries making caregiving difficult
L.O. 13.5

12. The Sociocultural Contexts of Death Where We Die
Hospitals can provide care but more impersonal
Increased chance of loneliness, fear, and untreated pain
Highlight the challenge is due to type of diseases in developed countries making caregiving difficult
L.O. 13.5

13. The Sociocultural Contexts of Death Options Regarding the End of Life
Hospice care—Addresses needs of individuals with 6 months or less to live
Palliative care—relieve pain and suffering
Takes place at home
Provides medical, psychological, and spiritual counseling
Housekeeping support
End slide with concerns for hospice
Major concern being the idea of giving up

14. The Sociocultural Contexts of Death Options Regarding the End of Life
Euthanasia means “good death”
Passive euthanasia—ceasing medical interventions
Active euthanasia—ceasing treatment and taking steps to encourage death
Can be difficult to determine the distinction between the two
Passive is legal in most countries while active is not
Good discussion on choice of words for survey research and support of euthanasia
Mention Dutch

15. The Sociocultural Contexts of Death Options Regarding the End of Life
Advanced directive gives written instructions concerning end of life care
Can include a living will specifying treatments to be done or not done
Can include a Do Not Resuscitate provision and health care proxy
May not always be followed
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16. Bereavement and Grief Emotional Arc of Grief
Bereavement is experiencing the loss of a loved one
Grief is the intense psychological response that accompanies bereavement
Grief responses change over time
Involves shock followed
Mention depression as well

17. Bereavement and Grief Variations in Grieving
Parents’ death can place children at risk for depression
A child’s death can increase divorce risk
A spouse’s death can increase risk of mortality of surviving spouse
Sudden deaths evoke more intense grief than anticipated deaths
Highlight gender differences in spouse death

18. Bereavement and Grief Confronting Death
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross proposed five stages in response to death
Denial—refuse to believe diagnoses
Anger—it is not fair
Bargaining—towards God or other spiritual entity
Depression—death is near
Acceptance—peace
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19. Bereavement and Grief Confronting Death
Limitations of theory include:
Not all go through five stages
Missing fear as a response
Lack of cultural context
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20. Beliefs About Death and the Afterlife

21. Young children understand death is permanent but not inevitable
Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span Beliefs in Childhood and Adolescence
Young children understand death is permanent but not inevitable
Understanding may be limited due to adults euphemisms referring to death
Adolescents understand death and beliefs are more abstract
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22. Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span Beliefs in Adulthood
Death anxiety is highest in emerging adulthood
Due to plans and goals still to accomplish
Death anxiety is lowest in late adulthood
Due to life review and expectation of death

23. Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span Beliefs in Adulthood
Anxiety is lowest in those with strongest religious faith
Anxiety is highest in people who are unsure of religious belief

24. Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span Beliefs in Adulthood
Beliefs about death also change throughout adulthood
Young adulthood focuses on fear for one’s child
Middle adulthood may tend to reexamine life
Late adulthood are familiar with death and may talk about it
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25. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Afterlife Beliefs in the Major Religions
Death not the end in most religions
Morality in life is reflected in the afterlife
Reincarnation status or Heaven/Hell
Differences in ritual and funeral observances

26. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Individual Beliefs About Life After Death
Use the figure to highlight beliefs in the afterlife which overall was about 50%
Highlight the patterns across countries as stated in the text

27. This table can be used to highlight Americas belief in afterlife and religious differences.
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Table Americans’ Belief in an Afterlife Responses to the question: “Do you believe in life after death?” Source: U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, Pew Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, © 2008, Pew Research Center.

28. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
Ritual is important for Hinduism which include
Bathing the body with holy water and draped with white cloth
Sprinkling rice on mouth
Cremation with only men present
Ashes are scattered and on 31st day, a memorial service is held

29. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
Buddhism rituals include:
Presence of monks is important
Bathing ceremony after death
Cremation
Feast held on day of cremation
Continual prayers performed by monks

30. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
Judaism tends to have a community of volunteers
Body is washed and purified
Body is dried and wrapped in linen
Laid to rest with no coffin
Family members enter 7 day mourning period followed by a second 30 day period

31. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
Two major mourning traditions in Christianity
Catholic—anointing of the sick, followed by a vigil, and a requiem mass is held
Protestant—may have a funeral service which includes a eulogy
Protestant less ritualized than Catholic tradition

32. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
Islamic rituals include:
Gathering near deathbed reciting the Koran
Body is bathed and burial takes place shortly after death
Cremation is forbidden
Body laid on right side facing Mecca
Three day mourning period with wives mourning for 4 months and 10 days
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33. Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals Honoring the Dead
Hindu—year anniversary of death the deceased favorite food is prepared
Buddhist—ancestor worship
Jewish—Yahrezit candle lit for 24 hours and prayer recited 3 times
Christian—three-day period called All Hallows Eve
Muslims—visit graves, show respect, and offer prayers