Managing Death: International Perspectives

Description

There is a huge collection of literature relating to death, grief and bereavement, but one aspect that has received relatively little attention is that of death management practices (by which we mean the various ways of managing the circumstances of the death, ritually acknowledging it and sensitively handling the disposal of the body and so on). While ways of disposing of the dead and grief practices have been thought of as based upon individual responses, grief and bereavement practices can be understood not only by looking at psychological and medical frameworks, but also by examining people as part of a complex structure of social arrangements, institutions, structures, and patterns. By examining the social and institutional structures of various groups around the world, we provide an international framework for a better understanding of the study of dying, death, and bereavement. This book highlights the significance of these matters in an international context, reflecting common themes and important differences. It will highlight common themes across diverse cultures and national settings, while also drawing attention to significant differences. If professionals working in the field of death, grief and bereavement are not aware of such differences, their practice can be insensitive, discriminatory and therefore ineffective, if not actually counterproductive.  As such, the book provides an invaluable resource for a wide variety of professionals and students, including medicine and health care; social work; counselling and psychotherapy; chaplaincy and pastoral work; and, of course, those involved in the funeral industry. In addition, students of sociology, psychology and anthropology will find much of interest here in terms of appreciating the diversity of ways in which funerals and other death management practices are managed and integrated into social life.  Foreword International Perspectives on Managing a Universal Phenomenon References Preface Why This Book? Managing Death Who Is This Book For? A Note of Caution References Acknowledgments Introduction Drawing on Social Science Learning from the Ancients Understanding Death Management Attitudes to Death and Dying Globalization and Its Impact The Social Context of Death and Dying The Structure of the Book References Contents About the Authors Part I: Making Sense of Death Management Practices Introduction to Part I Chapter 1 Death and Dying in Social Context Introduction Chapter 1: Death and Dying in Social Context Burial and Mortuary Customs The Sociological Imagination The Social Nature of Death and Dying Socialization A Compassionate Society? Common Elements The Role of the Community Resilience Bonding and Relationships Dying, Death, and Meaning Symbols of Dying and Death Making Role Adjustments Rebuilding Social Life Conclusion References Chapter 2: Death Management Practices Introduction Hoy’s Framework Significant Symbols Gathered Community Ritual Action Connection to Heritage Transition of the Corpse The Emergence of Civilizations Early Beginnings Beyond Ethnocentrism Funerals and Their Alternatives Methods of Disposal of the Dead Rituals and Meaning Making Funerals as a Source of Solace Cultural Variations in Burial Practices American Indian Disposal Practices Other Cultural Patterns Conclusion References Part II: The Role of Religion Introduction to Part II References Chapter 3: Christianity The Historical Development of Christianity The Impact of the Romans on Christianity The Christian Approach to Death Christian Approaches to Disposing of the Dead Conclusion References Chapter 4: Islam Islam in Historical Context The Basis of Islam Muslim Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 5: Judaism Judaism in Historical Context Jewish Disposal Practices The Sociopolitical Context of Judaism Conclusion References Chapter 6: Other Religions and None Other Religions Common Themes Across Religions Spirituality Beyond Religion Death, Dying, and Spirituality Identity and Connectedness Conclusion References Part III: African Disposal and Bereavement Practices Introduction to Part III References Chapter 7: Egypt Egypt in International Context Egyptian Culture Ancient Egyptian Death Customs Conclusion References Chapter 8: Nubia (Kush) Nubia in Historical Context Nubian Culture Nubian Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 9: The Akan of Ghana Ghana in International Context Akan Culture Akan Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 10: Zimbabwe Zimbabwe in International Context Zimbabwean Culture Zimbabwean Death Management Practices Conclusion References Part IV: Asian Disposal and Bereavement Practices Introduction to Part IV Chapter 11: Japan Japan in International Context Japanese Culture Japanese Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 12: China China in International Context Chinese Culture Chinese Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 13: The Hmong The Hmong Historically Hmong Culture Hmong Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 14: India India in International Context Indian Culture Hindu Death Management Practices Conclusion References Part V: European Disposal and Bereavement Practices Introduction to Part V Reference Chapter 15: Wales Wales in International Context The Welsh Language Welsh Culture Death in Wales Future Developments Conclusion References Chapter 16: Ireland Ireland in International Context Ireland in Historical Context Irish Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 17: England England in International Context England in Historical Context The English Population Today English Deathways Conclusion References Chapter 18: Scandinavia Scandinavia in Global Context Scandinavian Death Management Practices The Current Situation Conclusion References Chapter 19: Poland Poland in International Context Polish Culture Conclusion References Part VI: North and South American Disposal and Bereavement Practices Introduction to Part VI References Chapter 20: American Indians American Indians in International Context American Indian Death Management Practices American Indians Today Conclusion References Chapter 21: The Mound Builders Who Were the Mound Builders? Mound Building as a Death Management Practice Conclusion References Chapter 22: The Anasazi Anasazi Culture Anasazi Burial Practices Conclusion References Chapter 23: The Aztecs Aztec Culture Aztec Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 24: The Incas The Incas in Historical Context Inca Culture and Civilization Inca Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 25: The Navajo Diné Culture Diné Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 26: The Lakota Lakota Culture Lakota Death Management Practices Conclusion References Part VII: Oceanic Disposal and Bereavement Practices Introduction to Part VII Chapter 27: Samoa, Hawaii, and Other Islands Samoa and Hawaii in International Context Island Cultures Island Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 28: New Zealand/Aotearoa New Zealand in International Context Māori Culture Māori Death Management Practices Conclusion References Chapter 29: Australian Aboriginal Peoples Australian Aboriginal Peoples in Context Australian Aboriginal Culture Australian Aboriginal Death Practices Conclusion References Part VIII: The Social Challenges of Death Introduction to Part VIII Chapter 30: The Story Continues Introduction The Progressive-Regressive Method Globalization and Commercialization Medicalization Secularization Public Health Challenges Climate Change Terrorism Threats to Democracy The Sequestration of Death The Role of the Internet Inequality Conclusion References Afterword A Focus on “Social Problems” Death and Funerary Ritual References Guide to Further Learning Books Organizations and Websites Index