Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE—Was I Playing God?
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Healthcare Providers are Human
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The Impact of Beliefs
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Possible Effects of Our Actions
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A Final Loving Gesture
CHAPTER TWO—Death and Dying
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Dying—A Biological Imperative
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Death and Dying—A Transcendental Perspective
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The Dying Process
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When Does Death Occur?
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Attachments and Detachments
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Death, Dying, and Fear
CHAPTER THREE—Fear
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Death and Dying
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Pain, Suffering, and Eternal Punishment
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The Unknown and Non-Existence
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Will I Truly Lose Control?
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What About Those We Leave Behind?
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How Will I Die?
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Will I Die Peacefully?
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How Will Others React?
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Will I Die Alone?
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Have I Had a Meaningless Life?
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Losing a Loved One
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Losing One’s Possessions
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Losing One’s Youth
CHAPTER FOUR—Grief and Bereavement
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Anticipatory Grief
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Denial
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Anger
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Bargaining
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Depression
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Acceptance
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Beyond Normal Grief
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Roadside Memorials
CHAPTER FIVE—Funeral Rituals and Burial Customs
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The Influence of Religious and Spiritual Beliefs
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Cremation—A Different Perspective
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The Existence of a Spiritual Dimension
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Contradictions
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Burial—Why?
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What is Hallowed Ground?
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The Issue of Resurrection
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Addressing Some Controversies
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Their Favorite Song
CHAPTER SIX—Religion and End-of-life Issues
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Our Multicultural Beginning
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Multiculturalism and Healthcare
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Death and Dying—a Taboo Subject
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Alternative Healing
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Religions, Spiritual Beliefs, and Healthcare
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Possible Impact of Religion on Death and Dying
CHAPTER SEVEN—Life and Death
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Beyond Your Comfort Zone
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We Do Not Have All the Answers
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Our Spiritual Connection
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It is but a Thin Veil
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Near-Death Experience
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Personal Spiritual Experiences
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A New Journey Begins
Suggested Reading
References
Index