1. Attitudes & Stages Based on the work of Dr. Kubler Ross
Death & Dying
Attitudes & Stages
Based on the work of Dr. Kubler Ross

2. Attitudes towards Death
Death less familiar in 20th century due to social & technological changes
life-extending technologies increases chances of survival
also 80% of contemporary deaths take place in hospitals, nursing homes and other formal settings
death removed from everyday life

3. Attitudes towards Death
New attitude towards death has developed
i.e., death should be invisible
attitude referred to as death denied
attitude makes death private rather than public
denies mourning - grief expressed only privately
community life goes on as if nothing happened
includes funeral rites that erase signs of death
coffins become caskets
morticians beautify dead bodies

4. Impact of Attitude Most people uncomfortable about death
confusing message to children about death
Dying people placed in formal setting, few visitors
assign care to specialists
contact with death is routine & impersonal
leave definition of death to medical science
the dying often experience a social death before their biological death

5. Impact of Attitude
Rather not use term die - prefer to use terms such as pass away, no longer with us, gone to heaven.
Caskets closed - do not view death
Children kept away from funerals and burials

6. Death Awareness Movement
Death awareness movement emerged in 70’s lack opportunities to learn about death.
Pushed into facing death & dying due to contemporary social issues; abortion, AIDS, drug abuse, & alcoholism.
Movement challenged isolation of dying, promoted idea of the good death
dying person surrounded by family & friends
minimal technological interference
lead to development of death education.

7. The Dying Process
Research of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross has influenced how we accept deaths.
Kubler-Ross worked within a psychoanalytic framework
interviewed 200 dying patients
She proposed 5 distinct stages through which individuals pass.

8. Kubler-Ross
Stages are distinct but not necessarily progressive, likely to overlap
Denial is the 1st stage “Not me”
refusal to believe news of impending death
Anger 2nd stage - “Why me?”
anger likely to be displaced on caregivers
Bargaining is the 3rd stage - “Yes me but...”
- bargaining with a higher being for more time.

9. Kubler-Ross Depression - 4th stage - “Yes me” - begin to morn
acknowledges and mourns impending loss
represents natural grieving process of separation from loved ones and life
Acceptance, the final stage, reached only if individual allowed to express and work out earlier feelings.

10. Conclusion Lifelong Growth
growth is still possible for the dying person
apologies, regrets, forgiveness & to express love.
also need time for introspection, reminiscing & affirming beliefs.
These tasks require growth & change