Modern culture often glosses over aspects of life that are too intense to cope with on a regular basis. It is our goal to bring death back into everyday life, creating a meaningful connection to the truth of mortality and the benefits of understanding death.
Tracy Picha, When You Die’s associate producer in 2015 and ’16, has had a few changes in her life since learning, considering, wondering about mortality. Far from a macabre pursuit, it’s rekindled friendships and fine-tuned notions of what a good life means.
“We are scared of death and I think that is in large part because we hide it away, out of sight and avoid it until we have to,” says Nancy Borowick of her photo essays for The New York Times that document both her father’s and her mother’s journeys through cancer treatment and ultimately their … Read more
Death frequently comes without warning. But when tragedy strikes, there is a certain suddenness and violence that can have overwhelming effects on us, our families, and our society.
“Closure doesn’t even exist. It’s a made-up concept that we use to talk about loss and grief, but seeking it can do more harm than good.”
The Harley School in Rochester, N.Y., wanted students to excel in their academics — but also in life. That’s why the private school offered a class called “hospice.”
But in the 21st century, death “is now considered impolite to talk about,” says Megan Rosenbloom, director of Death Salon, self-described “resident death expert” on Vice’s Entitlement podcast, and the associate director for Collection Resources at the Norris Medical Library at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “And people don’t know how to manage that.”
Rosenbloom has given the topic more thought than most of us do. She even talks about how she doesn’t want her own body to be buried after she dies and why.
A Good Death from ChemHeritage on Vimeo.
Kate Braestrup shares the story of Nina, a five-year-old who insisted to her parents that she needed to visit her dead cousin and best friend Andy, a four-year-old, at a nearby funeral parlor.
“There is nothing on Earth – nothing inevitable, anyway – that we are prepared for less than death, and I just don’t understand why that is. Where is our guidance for this? This thing that every single one us will have to face?”
We put together a few links for you about death conversations we found helpful. Enjoy!
Teacher, writer and coach, Heather Plett found herself in the role of student when her mom was dying and her family brought her home to do so.
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