In Medieval times, people were very familiar with death. Since disease, war, and famine were common, death was something people didn't fear in the way they do today. In addition... Continue reading
Culture dictates rituals that are present when someone dies. From washing the body and it's preparation to the final burial—death rituals reconcile our grief. They express... Continue reading
When we think of death and dying, it's usually in the context of someone else's death — not our own. We are inquisitive and ask about how they died, whether it was painful... Continue reading
Ever heard of "gallows humor?" This dark sense of what's funny comes is displayed in one Día de los Muertos tradition, the short satirical poems called Calaveritas, or "l... Continue reading
Every generation throughout history defines itself on the events and shared cultural experiences of the time. A generation is a group of people who were born and age close toget... Continue reading
A bucket list is a checklist of items that people would like to complete before they die. It gets its name from the colloquial term "kick the bucket", which is a euphemism for d... Continue reading
Mourning takes different shapes and forms across the globe and human history. In our modern times, it's common for people to wear black clothing as a sign of respect for the dea... Continue reading
When someone is dealing with illness even the most emotionally intelligent person can have a hard time knowing what to say. If you know someone who has a family member with canc... Continue reading
Confronting death isn't always easy. For most, it's downright intimidating. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory offers readers a first-hand account of ... Continue reading
Death isn't often a conversation starter or the icebreaker at a party, but at a Death Cafe, it's center stage. This unique gathering is becoming more and more popular by the da... Continue reading