Module 12 - Culture, Passages, and Psychosocial Supports

Summary

As people approach the end, both the dying and loved ones may find solace and support in cultural practices. Some practices may be disturbing to the routines and requirements of sterile environments, for instance the sudden appearance of group ritual practices or artifacts. Awareness of some possible cultural practices may help healthcare professionals respond more appropriately when faced with the unexpected. Ultimately, this closing chapter may be smoother and more meaningful for all involved. The wake immediately follows death and may extend for some days, bringing family and community together to accommodate the loss. Mourners may express their grief in culturally specific ways, according to emotional display rules. Funerals and commemorations may do more for the living than the dead, but they become important parts of psychological adjustment to loss. Ancestral veneration particularly aligns with Terror Management Theory, connecting past, present, and future generations in cultural immortality.