Ethnic Variations In Dying Death And Grief

This volume is directed towards professionals who work in the fields concerning death and dying. These professionals must perceive the needs of people with cultural patterns which are different from the "standard and dominant" patterns in the United States and Canada. Accordingly, the book includes illustrative episodes and in-depth presentations of selected "ethnic patterns".; Each of the "ethnic chapters" is written by an author who shares the cultural traditions the chapter describes. Other chapters examine multicultural issues and provide the means for personal reflection on death and dying. There are also two bibliographic sections, one general and one geared towards children. The text is divided into three sections - Cross-Cultural and Personal perspectives, Dying, Death, and Grief Among Selected Ethnic Communities, and Reflections and Conclusions.; The book is aimed at those in the fields of clinical psychology, grief therapy, sociology, nursing, social and health care work.

This volume is directed towards professionals who work in the fields concerning death and dying. These professionals must perceive the needs of people with cultural patterns which are different from the "standard and dominant" patterns in the United States and Canada. Accordingly, the book includes illustrative episodes and in-depth presentations of selected "ethnic patterns".; Each of the "ethnic chapters" is written by an author who shares the cultural traditions the chapter describes. Other chapters examine multicultural issues and provide the means for personal reflection on death and dying. There are also two bibliographic sections, one general and one geared towards children. The text is divided into three sections - Cross-Cultural and Personal perspectives, Dying, Death, and Grief Among Selected Ethnic Communities, and Reflections and Conclusions.; The book is aimed at those in the fields of clinical psychology, grief therapy, sociology, nursing, social and health care work.

Death, Gender and Ethnicity examines the ways in which gender and ethnicity shape the experiences of dying and bereavement, taking as its focus the diversity of ways through which the universal event of death is encountered. It brings together accounts of how these experiences are actually managed with analyses of a range of representations of dying and grieving in order to provide a more theoretical approach to the relationship between death, gender and ethnicity. Though death and dying have been an increasingly important focus for academics and clinicians over the last thirty years, much of this work provides little insight into the impact of gender and ethnicity on the experience. The result is often a universalising representation which fails to take account of the personally unique and culturally specific experiences associated with a death. Drawing on a range of detailed case studies, Death, Gender and Ethnicity develops a more sensitive theoretical approach which will be invaluable reading for students and practitioners in health studies, sociology, social work and medical anthropology.

The intent of Death and Ethnicity emphasizes that death occurs to us as unique individuals living within particular sociocultural settings. Those who provide and plan services need to recognize both the differences among groups and the differences among individuals within these groups; and to provide options for those representative of their group as well as for those whose wants and needs are atypical. This book is valuable for those who plan projects, programs, courses, and services concerned with death and bereavement, and those who fund, plan, direct, and perform those services.

This book evaluates existing theories, concepts, and models with the practices of death, dying and bereavement from different societies around the world. The differences in various belief systems and how these influence death, dying and bereavement practices are highlighted, including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Ancestor worship, Afro-Brazilian religions, the belief systems of Native Indians, the Maoris of New Zealand and others. These belief systems will contribute to a better understanding of the existing models of death, dying and bereavement that are examined. An overview of countries in different continents is also provided. This helps to refresh the reader’s mind of the country’s geographical location and bring attention to the prevailing causes of death and life expectancy of nations in different parts of the world. At the end of each chapter, review questions are provided to aid in the reader’s comprehension and allow for self-reflection. At the end of each chapter, an Additional Readings section has been included so the reader can find additional information to further an interest developed from reading the chapter material. A glossary of terms is included to aid with explaining certain terms and add to the reader’s vocabulary. Given its overview of existing theories/models as well as a focus on issues of cross-cultural relevance on death, dying and bereavement, the book will be of interest to bereavement counselors, healthcare practitioners, and others.

"This book′s strengths are [Brenda Mallon′s] clinical wisdom, experience and insights, and the practical, constructive, down-to-earth way in which she conveys these to her readers. This will appeal to many who are searching for guidance in the difficult task of providing support for the bereaved" - Bereavement Care, Spring 2010 ′This is a well written book that makes a very useful addition to the field" - Therapy Today, February 2009 ′A refreshing, down-to-earth text that examines theory and research without becoming an academic tome. It is comprehensive, focused on practice and contains important insights for developing the essential skills required to provide effective bereavement care′ - Dr John Costello, Head of Primary Care, University of Manchester ′Brenda Mallon gives the term "grief counselling" definition in a way no one has done before. If you are new to counselling the bereaved, this book is the best introduction I have seen. If you are an experienced grief counsellor, this should be the next book you read′ - Professor Dennis Klass, Webster University, Dying, Death and Grief is written for anyone who provides support to adults following bereavement. Whether in a professional or voluntary capacity, bereavement care requires empathy, judgement and skill to ensure your response matches the needs of the person you are helping. Recognizing that we all experience bereavement differently, this book introduces theory and skills which can be used in any context to address a wide range of needs. The author explains the theoretical background to attachment and loss and the core skills needed to support people who have been bereaved. Case studies and personal accounts illustrate key points and exercises help you examine your own experiences and attitudes in relation to loss. The book also takes into account topics frequently overlooked in other texts, such as sexuality, spiritual responses to loss, cultural influences and diversity, as well as the nature of chronic and disenfranchised grief. Dying, Death and Grief is designed for use on a wide range of training and academic courses that prepare practitioners to work with the bereaved. Professionals in a range of settings including hospitals and in the community as well as volunteers and be-frienders in hospices and nursing homes will find this a useful source of guidance. Brenda Mallon is a counsellor, trainer and author who specialises in bereavement care. She is vice chair of The Grief Centre, Manchester Area Bereavement Forum.

By comparing the findings from Kalish's and Reynolds's landmark 1970's Death and Ethnicity Study to their own present study, Hayslip and Peveto examine the impact of cultural change on death attitudes. With a focus on African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-American subpopulations, with Caucasians treated as a comparison group, the authors come to several conclusions, including: the shift toward more interest in being informed of one's own terminal prognosis a more personal approach to funerals and mourning observances a greater focus on family and relationships

Produced as a companion to the Hospice Foundation of America's fifth annual National Bereavement Teleconference, this volume examines how key aspects of identity affect how individuals grieve. Variables explored include culture, spirituality, age and development level, class and gender.