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“The Wolves”
A grandmother’s death by MAID is described in poetryIt was the week of asking. Askingto watch her eat. Asking if she understoodthe doctors’ questions. Asking herto explain the difference betweenwanting to die right now, and dying later.The tumor making certain answersunquestionable. I watched her pointto the incense dish from whichsomeone swept all the ashes up. Askingif she recognized us. Because thatis what the…
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The Catcher in the Rye
Revisiting a classic novel reveals how the death of a sibling can impact someone“The Catcher in the Rye” frequently appears on lists, such as “Top 10 Books You Were Forced to Read in School.” Many Americans have read, or pretended to read, the classic novel by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield, the angst-ridden protagonist, is incredibly famous as the ultimate whiner. Most readers walk away from the novel focused…
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Can Distressing Dreams Point to Future Health Issues?
Nightmares may be a sign of future cognitive declineCan our sleeping dreams predict the future? The question has been debated by philosophers for millennia, but the common scientific consensus has been no. New research, however, promotes the idea that dreams can provide insight into our future health problems, particularly brain diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. A series of studies has found…
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These Are 5 of the Top Longevity Supplements That Fight Aging
Aging is inevitable but there are supplements that have been proven to reduce its speedHuman beings have been uniquely cursed with the desire to ward off the one thing we can’t avoid: aging. In fact, as you just read that sentence, you got older. Luckily, there are supplements for longevity out there that can help slow the process down.
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“Tukdam: Between Worlds,”
A documentary explores the unique death state of Tibetan Buddhist meditatorsThe 2022 feature documentary, “Tukdam: Between Worlds,” delves into the strange and unexplainable post-mortem state of “tukdam,” in which a person dies while meditating yet continues to seem very much alive. Tibetan Buddhist monks who die in this state often remain in an upright position and do not decompose for several days – sometimes, even…
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Portland May Be the US’s First Death Tourism Hot Spot
Terminal patients head to Oregon for medical aid in dyingWhile states such as Texas and Florida have outlawed practices that provide the option for physician-assisted dying to terminally ill patients, Oregon leads the way in helping ill patients decide their fate. Oregon and other states, such as New Jersey, Vermont and California, have enacted laws that allow people with terminal illnesses to obtain a…
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“Smile”
A solemn song about hopeful tomorrowsAlthough the song, “Smile” may not seem like one well-suited for a funeral or memorial, its sentimental overtones convey both sorrow and hope. First released by Nat King Cole on the album “Ballads of the Day,” the song encourages us to push through sadness and fear much like the sun does through the clouds. It…
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Praying the Rosary: A Catholic Funeral Rite
A Catholic devotional meditation provides comfort after deathFor many Catholic Americans, praying the rosary holds deep significance and can be a meaningful part of Catholic funeral rites. A rosary is a Roman Catholic devotional prayer that invites the speaker to meditate on the mysteries of Christ and draw close to His mother, the Virgin Mary. In Catholic belief, the Virgin Mary and…
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