Death Andying

Death

Death has been sterilized, institutionalized and dehumanized in attempt to increase individualism due to our idea that hospitals provide a good death (Somerville). Death has disappeared from community life and relocated as an individual experience occurring within the power of medical experts. Death has also changed from an everyday occurrence to a feared, mysterious and meaningless experience (Clarke & Seymour). This decrease in social death has caused the dying and their loved ones to feel alone and construct own values, a situation which Clarke and Seymour feel is prone to inducing anxieties.

Funerals

Postmodernism celebrates death as the patient doing it their own way (Walter). Death is done however the dying want it to be done as Walter states "my own way." This is done through private and individual death. The concerns are no longer that of the community but of medical professionals (Walter). Now it is almost as if one must keep very close social networks to have a meaningful funeral. The elderly have been ignored do to their decreased social networks. Because of this, their funerals seem to be routine. However, young or unexpected funerals appear to be more heartfelt. This emphasizes the individual role of death because it is up to the ill to keep social connections to make their death or funeral meaningful (Walter). Death is handled publicly through funeral directors, insurance agencies and hospitals, but privately in that feelings and grieving aren't shared (Walter). The journey towards death is hoped to be as painless as possible. There are no rituals, death is natural and probable. The journey is now becoming a journey of self, facilitated by professionals (Walter). The goal of death is usually done with rituals or with purpose to say final farewells anyone as once was (Walter). The funeral is usually planned by the family, rarely the does the church do the planning (Walter).

Social events

The commonality of death has diminished with the increase in medical advances and preventative care. Children are no longer encouraged to explore death (Gorer). The public display of death as cemeteries in the town centers no longer exists. Plays and theater no longer incorporate death into the scenes because it is no longer acceptable (Gorer). The natural process of decay has become disgusting to our society and is considered taboo to discuss (Gorer). Social prudery prevents death from being open and publicly dignified. However, the interest in death is still existent among humans. This demonstrates as Gorer states, that censorship no longer works.

Fear of Death

How we as humans have developed this fear for death is still under investigation. The notion that our fear comes from a lack of nurturing in child hood is one philosophy (Becker). It is said by some that mothers who install anxiety in their children through deprivation cause a fear of being alone or loss (Becker). This fear is then said to transfer into the adult fear of being alone which is ultimately death (Becker). Another notion that is considered by others is that we as humans must fear death and that it is an innate trait (Becker). This trait is what keeps us alive. This idea is linked to Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest (Becker). They believe this natural anxiety of death is simply preservation of self (Becker). We as a society do not openly communicate about death. Rather we create defense mechanisms that allow us to go on knowing that life could end any second (Becker). The ultimate defense is clearly repression (Becker). Or as Doka and Miller describe we use death defying and denying behaviors. Clarke and Seymour feel that the root of our fear comes from the individualistic principles based on modern life. Seymour and Clarke state the emphasis on self identity has placed the importance of the community as secondary to the individual.

Dying

Technology has increased the belief in science and has decreased suffering.

However, technology can distance the health care professionals from their patients. This

occurs when data becomes more important that the person (Reed). Medicalization of all

aspects of life has caused a decrease in our ability to deal with pain, suffering and death.

Death is no longer seen as natural and expected (Clarke & Seymour).

Perhaps in the into to death talk about who’s decision it should be to give up treatment. Gazelle states that there should never be a difference in the quality or effort that is expended in treating a patient.