As we approach our discussion about the end of life, there is often a debate that arises about how to prepare for and/or honor all the complex layers of our lives. Our understanding of the death and dying process is no doubt influenced by our age as well as our cultural and faith journeys. You may have been exposed to a great number of these over the course of your lives, or you may be very unfamiliar with death rituals and/or the religious and cultural practices that accompany them. Either way, you might find some interest in some of the content you will be asked to review for this assignment. Look at the material in the textbook about how our body ages and approaches the end-of-life and dying process. The diversity of lifestyles and relationships will influence this experience, as will culture, class, and ethnicity. This is part of the reason why different cultures feel passionately about honoring their own with a variety of different rituals and customs. Take a look at some of these practices from around the world:
https://infoweb-newsbank-com.ezproxy.mcckc.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F9E1F8EAF025C2F&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1793AE65E1EEEB90
Toraja tribe of Indonesia
Dancing with the dead
New Orleans jazz processions
Jewish funerals
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Fancy coffins in Ghana
Tibetan sky funerals
Death around the world
Religious & cultural beliefs
There is also a new documentary out about six new ways to die: Alternate Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America
Once you have reviewed this information, I want you to estimate the costs of death in the United States. Start with the medical services and declaration of death, then to burial/cremation/etc., to funeral services, to estate or inheritance taxes. These costs can vary by state, so that you may pick a state, but make sure to be clear about the state you have selected. Since these may all vary based on someone’s unique life course, consider approaching this as though you were making these arrangements for someone who has the same background as yourself. You might find this video interesting as it shows ways in which you can save money on your funeral. 3 Ways to Save on Funerals
As you compile your list of costs, make sure you cite the source of your information using the correct APA 7thedition protocol. Please reference your textbook as well as at least one other source of information.
Work for this assignment will be spread out over units 7 and 8. For unit 7, you will write up your rough draft of this assignment and submit your draft, by the deadline, for a peer review. The peer review process will allow you to receive feedback from others on your work. In unit 8, you will continue to refine your draft and develop your argument as you learn more about cognitive and moral development in adolescence and emerging adulthood. It is also expected that you will incorporate and improve upon your draft in light of the feedback you will have received through the peer review process.
