What does the family consider to be the role(s)of family members in handling/managing the death?

1. Interview a person whose culture differs from yours. Focus on the interviewee’s thoughts and feelings about how death, dying, and grief are experienced and dealt with in their culture. What are the cultural expectations and actual practices? Do they practice or participate in those expectations and practices? Why or why not?

Questions to answer in interview form:

Have you personally experienced the loss of loved ones? Please share your relationship, age, whether sick or sudden death etc. (If response is no, ask if someone they know has experienced loss and follow up with same request)
What are the cultural rituals for coping with death of a loved one? Please describe the rituals. Is there a time frame for a burial or cremation to occur?
What steps are taken, and who is responsible for ensuring proper handling of the person’s body?
Who makes the final arrangements for the body (burial or cremation?)
What does the family consider to be the role(s)of family members in handling/managing the death?
Are certain types of death less acceptable (for example, suicide), or are certain types of death especially hard to handle for your culture (for example, the death of a child)? (Please explain how the culture observes the ritual for less acceptable deaths.)
What circumstances or beliefs about death might add to or impact the pain of losing a loved one?
Can you describe traditions or rituals in your culture that commemorate or honor death?
What are some of the beliefs you hold that usually offer comfort in times of loss?
What does the family consider to be normal expressions of grief and acceptance of the loss?
What are your beliefs about life after death? Is this in line with your culture?
How would you define healthy and unhealthy grief? Can you give examples of persons exemplifying healthy or unhealthy grief? What behaviors have you observed or heard of?
What type of support does the grieving person or family receive from other family members or members of the community? How useful do you think support groups are with helping persons deal with their grief? (The support group can be formal or informal such as significant others, friends, families, peers, etc)

Last Completed Projects