Understanding Death and Dying: Encountering Death, Dying, and the Afterlife

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1: Attitudes Toward Death and Dying Learning Objectives Real Life Understanding Attitude Chapter 2: The Socialization of Death and Dying Learning Objectives Real Life Death Socialization: Person and Environment Interaction Death Socialization in Childhood Death Socialization in Adolescence Death Socialization in Adulthood Chapter 3: Historical and Cultural Perspectives on Death and Dying Learning Objectives Real Life History of Death Triarchical Environment of Developing Societies Historical and Cultural Death and Dying Practices Chapter 4: Death Systems Learning Objectives Real Life The Event of Death Societal Systems that can Contribute to Death Societal Systems that can Help Prevent Death Systems that can Help Restore Society after a Death Conclusion Chapter 5: Healthcare Learning Objectives Real Life Death Prevention Death Acceptance Accepting Medical Help Guidelines on What to Say to a Dying Person Chapter 6: End-of-Life Decisions Learning Objectives Real Life Medical Ethics in End-of-Life Decisions End-of-Life Decisions Pertaining to Oneself End-of-Life Decisions Pertaining to Loved Ones End-of-Life Issues and Decisions in Another Culture Factors Prompting End-of-Life Decisions End-of-Life Decision Making by a Third Party Chapter 7: Views and Treatment of Life-Threatening Diseases Learning Objectives Real Life Life-Threatening Diseases: Overview Life-Threatening Diseases: Trajectories Living with a Life-Threatening Disease Pain Management Chapter 8: Death Rituals and Final Act on Dead Bodies Learning Objectives Real Life Last Rites Rituals Death Rituals Final Act on Dead Bodies History of Death Practices in the United States Modern Funeral Practice in the United States Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule Traditional Funeral Military Funeral Casket Vault or Outer Burial Container Outer Burial Liner Professional Services by Funeral Homes Modern Funeral Practice in Another Society Chapter 9: The Experience of Loss Learning Objectives Real Life Understanding a Loss Theories and Models of Bereavement The Experience of Loss: Direct and Indirect Bereavement and Grief Types of Loss Experiences: The Death of a Loved One Multiple Loss Experiences Grief: Normal Versus Complicated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Chapter 10: The Dying Experiences of Children and Adolescents Learning Objectives Real Life Changes in Death Attitude Throughout Life The Dying Experiences of Children The Dying Experiences of Adolescents Integrating Cultural Diversity Conclusion Chapter 11: The Dying Experiences of Adults Learning Objectives Real Life Adults′ Understanding of Death Death Anxiety in Adults Death Anxiety Management End-of-Life Conditions and Death Anxiety Death Experiences in the Life of an Adult Coping with a Loss Positive Growth from a Loss Chapter 12: Suicide Learning Objectives Real Life Terminologies for Suicide Communication Suicide as Cry for Help Suicide as Escape from Self Lifespan Developmental Model of Suicide Cultural Factors in Suicide Theories Explaining Suicide Suicide across Different Age Groups Suicide Prevention Chapter 13: Death Caused by Accidents, Violence, and Trauma Learning Objectives Real Life Deaths Caused by Accidents Deaths Caused by Violence Death Caused by Trauma Chapter 14: Afterlife Beliefs Learning Objectives Real Life Afterlife Beliefs The History of Afterlife Beliefs in the United States Afterlife Beliefs about Animals The Human Predisposition to Believe in an Afterlife Near-Death Experiences Biopsychological Explanations for Near-Death Experiences The Future of Afterlife Beliefs Chapter 15: The Way Forward Learning Objectives Real Life Embracing Life Evaluating Personal and Social Choices Social Choice by Incentives and Disincentives Applicable Motivational Principles and Theories on Social Choice Embracing Death End-of-Life Decisions Coexistence of Living and Dying Thoughts Good Life and Good Death Farewells The Future of Death and Dying Glossary References

About the Author :
Frank Eyetsemitan is a Professor of Psychology at Roger Williams University in Bristol Rhode Island, where he previously served as the Associate Dean of the Social Sciences Division, College of Arts and Sciences. He is also a Faculty Associate at the UMaine Center on Aging and a Trustee of the Providence Public Library.  Dr. Eyetsemitan is the author or co-author of several publications on death, dying and bereavement.  

Review :
"The text′s benefits are the excellent discussion questions, the clarity of the text, and the real depth of consideration of psychological theory." "I like that this text incorporates so many different perspectives and topics into each chapter. I imagine it would help meet my goals quite well." "For the topics it addresses, this is the most useful and comprehensive guide I have seen for giving practical information about death and dying..."