1. Perspectives on Death: K. Ortiz/April 2010

2. Death In General Everything diesEverything dies Death comes with life; just as life comes with death (can’t have one without the other)Death comes with life; just as life comes with death (can’t have one without the other) Many try to give death a faceMany try to give death a face –Evil; Satan –Skeleton with scythe and bony hand –Ghost

3. Death In General Many tend to be afraid of death, or attach some sort of mystery to the concept, but do not deny it.Many tend to be afraid of death, or attach some sort of mystery to the concept, but do not deny it. “Death is the great equalizer” – popular phrase“Death is the great equalizer” – popular phrase The concept of death leads many to question morals.The concept of death leads many to question morals.

4. The Fear of Death As there are more vaccinations and even cures for life-threatening epidemics, the fear of death is changing.As there are more vaccinations and even cures for life-threatening epidemics, the fear of death is changing. All cultures, even those of the past, look at death as a defining moment in life.All cultures, even those of the past, look at death as a defining moment in life. Many associate death with a bad act:Many associate death with a bad act: –Frightening happening –Retribution –Punishment

5. The Fear of Death People can fear their own death.People can fear their own death. People can fear the death of another.People can fear the death of another. Understanding where the fear comes from can help to make clear the death rituals and customs of other cultures.Understanding where the fear comes from can help to make clear the death rituals and customs of other cultures.

6. The Fear of Death Ancient Hebrews – dead person is unclean; not to be touchedAncient Hebrews – dead person is unclean; not to be touched American Indian – worried about evil spirits; shot arrows into the air to ward off evil spirits. Consider how this may have translated to the shooting of guns as a salute.American Indian – worried about evil spirits; shot arrows into the air to ward off evil spirits. Consider how this may have translated to the shooting of guns as a salute. Early cultures – Used tombstones as a way to keep bad spirits deep in the ground.Early cultures – Used tombstones as a way to keep bad spirits deep in the ground.

7. Effect of Religion on View of Death Belief in God has lead to a belief in the hereafter.Belief in God has lead to a belief in the hereafter. People will be relieved of suffering and pain by dying.People will be relieved of suffering and pain by dying. There’s reward in going to heaven. The suffering is in living.There’s reward in going to heaven. The suffering is in living.

8. American Death Customs and Perspectives Richly Christian influence.Richly Christian influence. Must prepare children for dealing with death through literature.Must prepare children for dealing with death through literature. Americans are very “hush hush” about death.Americans are very “hush hush” about death. Being “laid to rest.” The dead rest in the burial place. RIPBeing “laid to rest.” The dead rest in the burial place. RIP As a result of the advances in science, many people die at hospitals; not in the home.As a result of the advances in science, many people die at hospitals; not in the home.

9. American Death Customs and Perspectives Tradition in disposal of the body – custom casket with lavish funeral.Tradition in disposal of the body – custom casket with lavish funeral. Grief therapy for the living.Grief therapy for the living. Buy back guilt of the death of a loved one by paying for the best funeral.Buy back guilt of the death of a loved one by paying for the best funeral. Make-up used to make dead seem more life-like.Make-up used to make dead seem more life-like. Quoted from National Funeral Service Journal, found in Mitford’s The American Way of Death: “The focus of the buyer’s interest must be the casket, vault, clothing, funeral cars, etc. – the tangible evidence of how much has been invested in the funeral – the only real status symbol associated with a funeral service.”Quoted from National Funeral Service Journal, found in Mitford’s The American Way of Death: “The focus of the buyer’s interest must be the casket, vault, clothing, funeral cars, etc. – the tangible evidence of how much has been invested in the funeral – the only real status symbol associated with a funeral service.”

10. Tibetan Buddhist Perspective on Death Being aware of death allows for perspective or awareness.Being aware of death allows for perspective or awareness. Enlightenment will allow one to transcend death.Enlightenment will allow one to transcend death. There are moments all around us at all times that remind us of the idea of death.There are moments all around us at all times that remind us of the idea of death. Preparations for death must occur during life. Reflecting on death should be a part of everyday reflections and meditation.Preparations for death must occur during life. Reflecting on death should be a part of everyday reflections and meditation. Dreams – the moment when we fall asleep is reflective of the moment of death.Dreams – the moment when we fall asleep is reflective of the moment of death.

11. Tibetan Buddhist Perspective on Death RebirthRebirth Not every rebirth will be human. Human rebirths are considered rare.Not every rebirth will be human. Human rebirths are considered rare. According to John Powers, author of Introduction ot Tibetan Buddhism, quoted on pbs.org, “Humans are uniquely situated in cyclic existence: we are intelligent enough to recognize the problems and sufferings of cyclic existence (unlike lower types of beings such as animals)…”According to John Powers, author of Introduction ot Tibetan Buddhism, quoted on pbs.org, “Humans are uniquely situated in cyclic existence: we are intelligent enough to recognize the problems and sufferings of cyclic existence (unlike lower types of beings such as animals)…”

12. Egyptian Life/Death Beliefs and Rituals Egyptians were obsessed with death.Egyptians were obsessed with death. Rituals for funeral ceremonies were an important part of death practices.Rituals for funeral ceremonies were an important part of death practices. –Embalmment/mummification/body preservation –Special burials –Corpse dismemberment Belief in life after death.Belief in life after death. God of the Dead - OsirisGod of the Dead - Osiris

13. Egyptian Life/Death Beliefs and Rituals While death rituals were significant to their culture, life was a major focus.While death rituals were significant to their culture, life was a major focus. Life was more desirable.Life was more desirable. Man consisted of an immortal soul – kaMan consisted of an immortal soul – ka One’s personality is born out of the chaos of the world.One’s personality is born out of the chaos of the world. Believe in the god, Khnum, a ram-headed god, who creates humans from clay.Believe in the god, Khnum, a ram-headed god, who creates humans from clay.

14. Final Thoughts The beliefs on about death and dying are different from…The beliefs on about death and dying are different from… – person to person –family to family –culture to culture –religious creed to religious creed.

15. Works Cited Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth. New York: Macmillan, 1969. Print. Langone, John. Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1972. Print. Leca, Ange-Pierre. London: Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data, 1980. Print. Mitford, Jessica. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1963. Print.