Transcript 11-8: Death and Dying

Death & Dying
Christine Zhang
Ysabelle Valera
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Grief is especially severe
when the death of a
loved one comes
suddenly and before its
expected time on the
social clock.
 For example, an
unexpected death of a
child may trigger a year
or more of mourning
flooded with memories
for his or her parents. A
mild depression occurs
for several years.
Within any culture, some individuals may grieve
more intensely and openly. Contrary to the popular
misconceptions, however:



Those who express the strongest grief immediately do not purge
their grief more quickly.
Bereavement therapy and self-help groups do little to enhance
the healing power of time and supportive friends. No amount of
talking can eliminate the feeling of being alone and separated
from the loved one.
Terminally ill and bereaved people do not go through predictable
stages, such as denial, anger, and so forth. Some people grieve
hard and long, others more lightly and briefly.

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Facing death with dignity and openness helps people complete the
life cycle with a sense of life’s meaningfulness and dignity (the
sense that their existence has been good and that life and death
are parts of an ongoing cycle.)
Erik Erikson called this a sense of integrity which is a feeling that
one’s life has been meaningful and worthwhile.
AIDS
AIDS often strikes down people in midlife or
younger.
 The disease killed more than 3 million
worldwide.
 In sub-Saharan Africa, 6 out of 10 people carry
the HIV virus, which resulted in death and
treatment needs.
 In nine African countries, life expectancy at birth
has dropped below 40 years.
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