Table 4 Good death models
Good Death for 'non-believers' | Good Death for 'believers' |
|---|---|
Loss of individuality | Permanence of individuality |
End of subjective life | Passage to another life |
Being aware of dying | Dying unaware |
Not losing control of the situation | Hope in miracles and in eternal life |
Attention given to scene of death | Decorum in dying |
Importance of living well in the "here and now" | Importance of getting to heaven |
Little importance given to mortal remains | Importance given to mortal remains |
Search for a secular modality of dying | Adherence to prevalent cultural rules |
Elements shared by believers and non-believers | |
1) Trying to prepare for death without expecting to feel absolutely ready when death arrives; | |
2) Having close people nearby and receiving assistance from experts; | |
3) Having a soft atmosphere around the dying person. | |