Overcoming the Fear and Accepting the Reality of Death

“On the Fear of Death,” by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, is an essay that examines the increases in medical technology that may be responsible for a greater fear of death, more emotional problems, and an important need to understand the circumstances involved with death. In my opinion, this is an excellent essay that describes how different cultures and individuals have dealt with death through traditions. Kubler-Ross also describes how people may be affected emotionally with the death of a loved one and different ways children are involved and taught about death. She seems to be a great supporter of people dying at home under care in a comfortable environment. Dying at home can help the survivors be more at ease with the thought of their own death, decrease emotional problems associated with death, and help with the understanding of the required decisions regarding the circumstances of death.

The first point that Kubler-Ross makes is the importance of acknowledging the inevitability of death. She says most people are concerned about dangers that cause an early death, such as being hit by a car, but do not consider dying of natural causes or old age. This fact may be a cause for fear of death. Since most people relate death to a dreadful act, it is something to be feared. This is not the case for someone dying at an old age. For this person, death could be something to be welcomed. Therefore, much consideration should be given to the circumstances involving death.

The second point that Kubler-Ross makes is that the concept of death is something to be taken seriously. Children, especially, do not see death as a permanent occurrence and sometimes compare it to a simple absence of someone. Children should be more involved with the care of their dying elders to alleviate the fear and better understand the concept of death. Kubler-Ross also states the serious nature of death concerning adults. While people may sometimes wish another dead, it would be a traumatic experience if that were to actually happen. The fear of death and a feeling of guilt would be an effect for wishing someone dead.

Another point that Kubler-Ross makes is that