Reflections on Death, Dying, and Bereavement: A Manual for Clergy, Counselors, and Speakers (Death, Value and Meaning)

Many of the greatest philosophers of the Western world as far back as Socrates and Cicero have meditated and written on the mystery of human suffering and death. In cases of suffering and tragic death, religious faith can be shaken and severely tested. Being told that it is the will of God is not a satisfactory explanation for tragedy in the view of many people. The methodology of Reflections on Death, Dying and Bereavement is mainly philosophical. It is intended to complement scriptural and theological studies. The volume has five main sections that are further divided by chapter. The first section contains foundational considerations. Since the belief in a continuation of life after death or reunion with deceased loved ones offers consolation to many people, the book examines the possibility of human immortality. Various rational arguments are presented. This section also discusses the sufferings that people undergo while in the dying process and the grief of the survivors. Theists who believe in an omnipotent, all-merciful God will find a trace of 'mystery' here. The second major division presents the thoughts on death of famous theistic, atheistic, and pagan philosophers. Among this group are Epicurus, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, James, Marcel, Schopenhauer, Nietszche, and Heidegger.

The third section incorporates the reflections of such novelists as Viktor, Frankl, Ernest Hemingway, the famous radio preacher Norman Vincent Peale, and the highly respected thanatologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Poets such as Emily Dickinson, William Cullen Bryant and John Donne are included. The fourth section deals with grief and bereavement as a result of the deaths of parents (young and elderly), spouses, children, and siblings. The fifth and final section includes death by suicide and euthanasia, care of the dying within the hospice concept, and the role of the funeral director and the funeral itself.