Cultural Perspectives on Death and Dying
(rescheduled from Oct. 19, 2017)

Optional tour of the Natural Path Sanctuary (NPS) by Director Shedd Farley following the presentation by Death Awareness Educator Karen Reppen. The tour is contingent upon weather but for those who attend who would like a tour, we can schedule you in for a future NPS private tour date with Director Shedd Farley. There are stairs at the Center to the meeting space, if unable to do stairs, please let us know and a private meeting will be set up on another date to meet with Director Shedd Farley. Also, to let people know who are allergic to cats, there is a cat on the premises. Cost: $10.00 per session but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Light refreshments will be served.

Please reserve a spot by e-mailing or calling the Farley Center at 608-845-8724.

This presentation offers participants a way to understand how the natural occurrence of death and dying is considered and dealt with in different cultures around the world and here in North America. We look at how different faiths approach end of life, and explore how death and dying has become taboo in our culture and offers alternative approaches from other times and places.

Possible topics for discussion:
• History of death culture in America
• Growth of the funeral industry—evolution of new approaches or return to the old…
• Increased global awareness and influx of influences from other cultures
• Death Education/Awareness movement
• Death awareness exercises
• Death in the popular culture
• Books, stuff, media, art, music, social media,
• How death is talked about
• Death Cafes, Conversation Project,
• Cultural Variations: Ethnicity and Faith
• Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan
• African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Chinese American, Hmong, Latino/Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan Natives
• Other groups:
• Military/Veterans; Law enforcement, first responders; Those experiencing homelessness; Other marginalized populations; Gangs, other
• How culture affects the way care is provided, and how the body is dealt with after death
• Belief systems about causes of death
• Funerals, Rituals, etc., including accoutrements, accessories, food, attire, place, economics, etc.
• Disposition of the body (burial, cremation, etc.)
• Belief systems about the afterlife
• Grief and Mourning; memorializing the dead