Study Outline (Notes) for "On Death and Dying"
Before Modern Technology
Death of farmer in Europe
he asked to die at home and his wish was granted
family and friends were called in to say "good-bye"
he arranged his affairs
even small children were able to visit him which gave them the comfort of shared responsibility and shared warning; prepared them gradually for death so they could view death as a part of life.
NO embalming or make-up was used to make the farmer look natural
All was an indication of acceptance of fatal outcome
With Modern Technology
Often fear and deny reality of death
Make our dead look like they are sleeping
Do not allow children to be part of dying person's last moments: shield children from death
Dying is often lonely and impersonal because dying person is taken to die in the hospital
Patient is treated like a "thing" with all that modern technology has to offer.
Although death is still a fearful happening and we have a universal fear of death, our ways of coping and dealing with death have changed.
You may want to include more notes (it is an individual preference); for example, you may want to include the examples about the different dying customs (Hebrews, Indians, military, etc.).
The most important idea that you should note here is that the main idea is taken from I. and II. Death and dying are much different now with modern technology than in the past.
