Human Development
A Cultural Approach
Chapter
13
Death and Afterlife
Beliefs
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Physical Aspects of Death
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Figure 13.1 Causes of Death in Massachusetts from the 1840s–Present As infectious diseases
were effectively prevented and treated, deaths due to heart disease and cancer increased. Source:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Demography of Death
Major Cause of Death Today
• One major cause of death is
cardiovascular disease
• Arteries that supply blood become
narrow due to plaque build up
 Symptom:
- Angina Pectoris—severe pain in chest, neck
and left arm
- Can have a heart attack—weakness,
dizziness, confusion, and shortness of breath
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Demography of Death
Cardiovascular Disease
• Men have higher rates of heart disease
than women
• African American rates high, Latino and
Asian American lowest
• Highest rates in eastern European
countries and low in southern Europe
• Risk factors include: Diet, cigarette
smoking, and lack of exercise (obesity)
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Demography of Death
Cancer
• Occurs in later adulthood because cell
replication becomes less efficient as
people age
• Symptoms vary but can include weight
loss, fatigue, and weakness
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Demography of Death
Cancer
• Cancer is more common among men
than women
• Risk factors include: smoking, diet,
excessive alcohol use, and chronic
exposure to sunlight
• Strongly genetic and consequence of
aging
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beyond Death:
The Sources of Aging
• Aging impacted by cellular clock
• Cell replication is limited—Hayflick limit
• Limitation caused by the telomere
 Each replication shortens the telomere
which impacts life expectancy
• Regulating telomeres is a way to
extend Hayflick limit
• Preventing free radicals through
antioxidants may also impact aging
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beyond Death
Can Aging Be Reversed?
• Growth hormone—can increase muscle
mass and bone density
• DHEA-hormone involved in muscle
growth
 No clear benefit as yet
• Reduced caloric intake has had some
positive results
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Sociocultural and Emotional
Responses to Death
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Sociocultural Contexts of Death
Where We Die
• In developing countries most die at
home
• In developed countries only 20% die at
home
• Many prefer to die in comfort but in
developed countries that is a challenge
due to causes of illness
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Sociocultural Contexts of Death
Where We Die
• Hospitals can provide care but more
impersonal
• Increased chance of loneliness, fear,
and untreated pain
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Sociocultural Contexts of Death
Options Regarding the End of Life
• Hospice care—Addresses needs of
individuals with 6 months or less to live
 Palliative care—relieve pain and suffering
 Takes place at home
 Provides medical, psychological, and
spiritual counseling
 Housekeeping support
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Sociocultural Contexts of Death
Options Regarding the End of Life
• Euthanasia means “good death”
 Passive euthanasia—ceasing medical
interventions
 Active euthanasia—ceasing treatment and
taking steps to encourage death
 Can be difficult to determine the distinction
between the two
 Passive is legal in most countries while
active is not
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
The Sociocultural Contexts of Death
Options Regarding the End of Life
• Advanced directive gives written
instructions concerning end of life care
 Can include a living will specifying
treatments to be done or not done
 Can include a Do Not Resuscitate provision
and health care proxy
 May not always be followed
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Bereavement and Grief
Emotional Arc of Grief
• Bereavement is experiencing the loss of
a loved one
• Grief is the intense psychological
response that accompanies
bereavement
• Grief responses change over time
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Bereavement and Grief
Variations in Grieving
• Parents’ death can place children at risk
for depression
• A child’s death can increase divorce risk
• A spouse’s death can increase risk of
mortality of surviving spouse
• Sudden deaths evoke more intense
grief than anticipated deaths
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Bereavement and Grief
Confronting Death
• Elizabeth Kubler-Ross proposed five
stages in response to death
 Denial—refuse to believe diagnoses
 Anger—it is not fair
 Bargaining—towards God or other spiritual
entity
 Depression—death is near
 Acceptance—peace
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Bereavement and Grief
Confronting Death
• Limitations of theory include:
 Not all go through five stages
 Missing fear as a response
 Lack of cultural context
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beliefs About Death
and the Afterlife
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span
Beliefs in Childhood and Adolescence
• Young children understand death is
permanent but not inevitable
 Understanding may be limited due to
adults euphemisms referring to death
• Adolescents understand death and
beliefs are more abstract
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span
Beliefs in Adulthood
• Death anxiety is highest in emerging
adulthood
 Due to plans and goals still to accomplish
• Death anxiety is lowest in late
adulthood
 Due to life review and expectation of death
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span
Beliefs in Adulthood
• Anxiety is lowest in those with
strongest religious faith
• Anxiety is highest in people who are
unsure of religious belief
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life Span
Beliefs in Adulthood
• Beliefs about death also change
throughout adulthood
• Young adulthood focuses on fear for
one’s child
• Middle adulthood may tend to
reexamine life
• Late adulthood are familiar with death
and may talk about it
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Afterlife Beliefs in the Major Religions
• Death not the end in most religions
• Morality in life is reflected in the
afterlife
 Reincarnation status or Heaven/Hell
• Differences in ritual and funeral
observances
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Individual Beliefs About Life After Death
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Table 13.1 Americans’ Belief in an Afterlife Responses to the question:
“Do you believe in life after death?” Source: U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, Pew Center’s Forum
on Religion & Public Life, © 2008, Pew Research Center. http://religions.pewforum.org/
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
• Ritual is important for Hinduism which
include
 Bathing the body with holy water and
draped with white cloth
 Sprinkling rice on mouth
 Cremation with only men present
 Ashes are scattered and on 31st day, a
memorial service is held
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
• Buddhism rituals include:
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Presence of monks is important
Bathing ceremony after death
Cremation
Feast held on day of cremation
Continual prayers performed by monks
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
• Judaism tends to have a community of
volunteers
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Body is washed and purified
Body is dried and wrapped in linen
Laid to rest with no coffin
Family members enter 7 day mourning
period followed by a second 30 day period
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
• Two major mourning traditions in
Christianity
 Catholic—anointing of the sick, followed by
a vigil, and a requiem mass is held
 Protestant—may have a funeral service
which includes a eulogy
• Protestant less ritualized than Catholic
tradition
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Mourning Rituals of the Major Religions
• Islamic rituals include:
 Gathering near deathbed reciting the
Koran
 Body is bathed and burial takes place
shortly after death
 Cremation is forbidden
 Body laid on right side facing Mecca
 Three day mourning period with wives
mourning for 4 months and 10 days
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning Rituals
Honoring the Dead
• Hindu—year anniversary of death the
deceased favorite food is prepared
• Buddhist—ancestor worship
• Jewish—Yahrezit candle lit for 24 hours
and prayer recited 3 times
• Christian—three-day period called All
Hallows Eve
• Muslims—visit graves, show respect,
and offer prayers
Human Development: A Cultural Approach
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett