‘We live in grief-phobic societies’: experts on how to get more comfortable with death
We are all going to die, and so is everyone we know. So how can you not be terrified?
TL;DR
- Western societies tend to be grief-illiterate and grief-phobic, contributing to discomfort with death.
- Death disrupts our forward-looking orientation and sense of control, challenging our egos.
- Increased medicalization has led to death occurring more often in institutions rather than at home, distancing us from the experience.
- Thinking about death is described as 'life-affirming' and can help clarify what truly matters.
- Planning for death, whether through wills or advance directives, can ease the burden on loved ones and provide a sense of agency.
- Reflecting on mortality can put current problems into perspective and encourage taking action on aspirations.
- Practices like acknowledging fear, planning logistics, asking big questions, reflecting on losses, considering relationships, and balancing present and future can help individuals become more comfortable with death.