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The Matsigenka and the “Were-Jaguars” of Peru
For this Amazonian people, death can bring supernatural transformationPeople of all cultures and in all regions of the world have fears about death. Some fears stem from concepts of heaven and hell or karmic retribution, while many center on the mystery of the afterlife. For the Matsigenka people of Peru, however, this uncertainty boils down to a very specific question: Will I turn…
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My Mother’s Hollow Final Goodbye Broke My Heart
My mother’s goodbye to my father broke a new piece of my heart; she didn’t love me or my father how we wanted, but I hoped until the end that she couldThis is Suzanne’s story as told to Cara Olexa by her daughter. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief and, ultimately, to aid them in their healing process. In this story, Suzanne talks about…
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Evictions Lead to Higher Death Rates
Data reveals potential impact of the expiration of the federal eviction moratoriumSince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. state governments have been struggling with how to support tenants and homeowners and prevent evictions. Many have imposed eviction moratoriums, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered a halt to residential evictions in September. That order was set to expire on Dec. 31, but has…
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“I Remember Everything”
The late music icon reflects on a long, full life in his final recordingFolk legend John Prine died of COVID-19 complications in April 2020, leaving behind a musical legacy that spanned generations and influenced such iconic figures as Bonnie Raitt and John Cougar Mellencamp. A former mail carrier who grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Little Richard and the Carter Family, Prine quickly gained acclaim for his wry,…
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Scientists Uncover New Ways to Determine Time of Death
Researchers have been testing unique methods to peg time of death more accuratelyAs anyone who’s watched the popular CBS TV series Crime Scene Investigation can tell you, forensic pathologists have long relied on tried-and-true methods to identify the time of death for a newly discovered body. Yet these approaches are limited, often forcing investigators to depend on estimates. Fortunately, scientists around the globe have been developing new…
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“A Monster Calls”
In this book, 13-year-old Conor dreams about a monster, but the words he’s afraid to say about his dying mother are much scarierWritten by Patrick Ness and illustrated by Jim Kay, the book grew from an original idea by author Siobhan Dowd, who died before being able to complete the book herself. It’s the story of Conor, a 13-year-old boy in a small town in England. His mother is sick with an unnamed illness, but we recognize…
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“Conscious Dying” Gains Traction as Boomers Seek to Transcend a Death-Denying Culture
Interest in returning dying to a sacred and communal realm is growing, and practitioners are readyConscious dying — being aware, awake and accepting of what is happening at end of life and in the moment of one’s death — is not a defined practice with precepts that can be followed to ensure a smooth transition to whatever awaits on the other end of life. It may, however, bring peace by…
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Our Monthly Tip: Tune in to Live Music Concerts Online to Connect and Uplift
Listening to live music concerts online can help lift the spirits of those who are isolated or grievingOur Tip of the Month As we head into 2021, we are all grieving in one way or another. Millions are grieving the death of a loved one. And almost all of us are grieving the loss of connection with others or the holiday traditions we’re used to. For those who are grieving the death…
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