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... Continue reading

Finding purpose after the death of your spouse may seem like a lifetime away. You may still be in the process of grieving and healing from this immense loss and trying to figure... 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

For many years, death has largely been thought of as a somber subject. But in recent years, we've begun to adjust our stance on it. Many people are having uplifting celebration ... 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

Losing a parent is a big deal and it does matter how old you are when your parent dies once you enter adulthood. The pain and loss you'll experience are different at age 20 than... Continue reading

In the book Being Mortal, practicing surgeon Dr. Atul Gawande goes up against one of his profession's most difficult challenges. In this celebrated book, he writes about how... Continue reading

Most of us want the important people in our lives to know we wish the best for them on their birthdays. That's why many of us also don't feel that simply saying "Happy Birthday"... 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

The last moments of someone's life are often the most complex. When faced with a certain end, how do you accept death? How does the realization that you're mortal and that your... Continue reading