No, not that 'D'.... I'm talking about the big 'D' in the world of child life, Death. Talking about death in the U.S. is such a cultural taboo. Which when seriously thought about is odd thing to not talk about. After all, we frequently talk about where babies come from and sex (which in my opinion is a much more delicate conversation to walk around) but can't talk about something that is a universal experience.
Death is commonality of all persons, it transcends all racial, cultural, and religious boundaries. So why then are we so afraid to broach the subject, especially with children? From my experiences as a child life specialist, I have come to be fascinated by the unique perspective that childhood brings to the topic of death. However, this perspective is has only come to light after an extensive conversation introducing children to the concept of death for the first time. It is incredible to me to talk with parents after such a conversation and hear their dumbfounded-ness upon their hearing the child explain their own simple understanding of death. I have had multiple caregivers describe to me how they were so afraid of how their children would react to the idea of death for the first time and then express their complete shock that it was "just so easy." This is not to say that overtime is easy or to say that a conversation about death is a short one. But if we as a society release ourselves from the fear of talking about death then this hurdle for parents could be eliminated.
I recently watched a Facebook video about a "Coffin Club" in New Zealand, you read that right, a coffin club. The video was a promotional music video for this group of old people who are taking back their deaths by creating their own caskets, in my opinion they are also transforming the concept of death. I found the video to not only be funny, because for real grandparent-esqu characters singing and dancing is always a good time. But, it was also a really refreshing perspective that I think needs to be shared. Here's the link so that you can hopefully enjoy it as much as I did (The Coffin Club) I'm not advocating for everyone to start making their own caskets such as these vivacious seniors do, I understand that some people don't even utilize such a tool as part of a death ritual. But, what I would encourage through this is a positive change towards this type of fresh perspective on death. Death, as these lovely seniors so eloquently shared, is "The final verse, but life goes on."
- K
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