It may be useful to first define the two main terms that will be studied. The first term is death; the Collins Dictionary defines death as the 'end of life'. Clinically this defined as there is a lack of heartbeat and breathing along with lack of central nervous system function which includes reflex activity and environmental responsiveness. If no brain activity is recorded after an initial measurement and a second measurement twenty-four hours later the individual in question is termed brain dead. Taboo refers to something which is forbidden or unmentionable, not by law but rather by custom. A strong taboo is one where something is unthinkable and its existence denied, a weak taboo is one where the subject is simply not spoken of.
[...] We are so afraid of suicide, euthanasia and death in general that if anyone mentions the word in his own reference, we view it as morbid thinking. Death is a taboo subject perhaps the main taboo topic. The insurance industry realized a long time ago that nobody is going to buy "death insurance," therefore, to make it a more palatable subject; they termed it "life insurance." We try our best to avoid any thoughts, words or deeds related to death as if healthy living might be possible by taking the word "death" out of the dictionary. [...]
[...] There is a fear of death in western culture hence “Denial, at least partial denial, is used by almost all patients”[3]. The second stage is anger. Here the patient feels as if they have been cheated. Dr Kubler-Ross suggests by expressing anger, patients may relieve some fears, jealousies, anxieties and frustration. Anxiety can be quite a commonly felt emotion by the dying as they do not know what to expect in the near future. Hence, a loss of control is also experienced. [...]
[...] In the Himalayan region, life and death are also viewed in a much different manner to that in western society. Death is inescapable as much as it is uncertain, for this reason it is viewed as an opportunity which must be properly prepared for. It is believed that being prepared to face death brings pleasure and contentment to life rather than negativity. It is believed that dying is not any form of punishment from a higher being and should not be approached with fear but rather with joy as it ultimately gives access to an ‘infinitely better condition'. [...]
[...] Reflecting the ideological diversity, availability of choice, and freedom of individual action evident in post modernity, various types of rituals, memorials and ashes disposition are being combined to create a multitude of funeral patterns. Becoming more personalised secular, pluralistic, historical and less formal, rituals more closely reflect the nature of individuals than that of formal social structures. significant feature of change is the secularisation of western societies in which death is no longer clothed with the certitude of faith.” Turner[9] Secular, or non-church rituals, may include photos of the deceased, or the display of personal items which were significant to the deceased. [...]
[...] Conclusion In conclusion it would seem that death in Western society is generally viewed as a failure and tragic. Everyone who is related to the dying person experiences a sense of failure and loss. The one who is dying feels a failure for having the disease, letting the family down, or not taking good care of him or her self. The doctors feel a failure because they can't save their patients' lives. Families feel a failure because in spite of their love and care, they can't undo death. [...]
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