How the Norse Faced Death: What Viking Grief Can Teach Us
The Norse made space for mourning and for continuing bonds with the people they had lost. We could do more of that, too. (Continue reading ...)
The Philosophical, Legal, and Ethical Basis for Aid in Dying
A society's evolving cultures and codes—moral, ethical, and legal—reflect its changing needs and experiences, particularly in how it approaches death, dying, and the decision to assist in the dying process. (Continue reading ...)
Ethical Wills: A Timeless Gift of Love and Wisdom
Human beings experience two deaths: The first occurs when life leaves our bodies, and the second happens when our names are no longer spoken, and we fade from memory. (Continue reading ...)
Loss of a Spouse
My husband died suddenly. It was, quite literally, an accident. There was no warning, no pre-planning, no build-up. He left for work one morning, and then didn’t come home. (Continue reading ...)
Japan’s Obon Festival: How Family Commemoration and Ancestral Worship Shapes Daily Life
In Japan, Obon and Ohigan are prominent national holidays, observed around mid-August and the vernal/autumnal equinoxes, respectively. These holidays underscore the enduring cultural importance of honoring ancestors and strengthening family bonds, remaining vital traditions despite societal changes. (Continue reading ...)