The Cultural Complexities of Death and Dying: Perspectives from the West and Non-West

Abstract

Death, Dying, and Cultural Issues. Most cultures, especially in Africa, have different ways of conceptualizing death. The aspects of death, dying, and culture are very other among western and non-western populations. Celebrating death in western culture is solemn, calm, and emotional. From various case analyses, in western cultures, death is feared. The western communities have created a conducive environment where their people can die in peace and dignity. In non-western settings, Heritage, for instance, Islam, Christianity, and traditional religions influence the concept of dying and death in non-western communities. Funeral rituals are performed with various forms of religiosity in them. Dying and death are entwined with culture. It is surprising that most communities embark on celebrations of feasting and drumming to celebrate the end of their loved ones. Some link it with spiritual meanings that are astonishing and intriguing. We often think that death is natural and compulsory. Surprisingly, non-western cultures do not believe that death is not natural. It is linked with religion, superstitions, and eminent cultures. Death is celebrated and thought to connect them with their ancestors. The whole fallacy about death in non-western settings is mesmerizing due to its unending superstitions, which are very scary. Some communities perform rituals to appease their ancestors to bestow them rain and promise them good health and prosperity. Non-westerners believe that death will come, and they can influence the existence of a community. In non-western countries, death is inhuman, and most patients with chronic illnesses die in pain and without dignity. There are adequate resources and enough palliative nurses that promote life expectancy in western settings. In Africa, palliative care is limited due to the lack of available resources. Chronic illnesses such as cancer and HIV, and Aids are deemed deadly, yet the victims do not...