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for older people and their life of faith and hope.

   

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National attitudes to death

29th April 2019 By GerryBurke

On our News page there is a report about an initiative earlier in 2018 by Co-op Funeralcare: the provision of low-cost funerals which involve no mourners and no ceremony.  The Co-op announced that it would be conducting a nationwide survey of British attitudes towards death.  The results of the survey have been published as ‘Making peace with death’ and can be read here.  The Co-op says that over 30,000 responses were received although this figure is amended in the formal reference to the size of the sample (22664 adults 16+).  The survey (which was conducted on-line) covered basic attitudes towards the death of others as well as the ways people thought about their own mortality.  The main finding is that the majority of people find the whole subject of death very difficult and find themselves inadequate in the face of bereavement.  Additionally, the lack of preparation for death is startling, including the making of a will (only 27% it is suggested).  The word ‘taboo’ is used in the findings as a general description of the British attitude towards death.  No one really likes talking about it and will go to great lengths to avoid having to deal with any aspect of it.  The questions asked are not listed and, therefore, it is not possible to compare the enquiries with the answers.

One of the significant features of the survey results is the almost complete absence of any mention of religious faith or affiliation.  There is a single reference, in a section about making funeral plans, to the influence religion might have had in prompting making a plan (9% said it did).  Other than that, nothing.  It is understandable that a commercial organisation with a very big interest in funerals should concentrate its effort on those matters which affect its own business planning, but to ignore the place that religious faith might have in people’s thinking and practice does raise a number of questions.  Did the survey deliberately exclude any enquiry about the effect of faith on attitudes to death and bereavement, or was it just not remembered?  If it was deliberate, why?  If it was just forgotten, is this a reflection of the entirely secular purpose and approach of the survey, or symptomatic of a wider ignorance of the role of faith in people’s lives?

In the Press Release issued at the time of the announcement of this survey, Christians on Ageingsuggested that it was time for the Churches (as well as other faith communities)  to confront the avoidance of death in our culture and bring discussion about dying and bereavement back into the land of the living.  The results of this survey make that task more urgent.  One of the main responses recorded in the survey was that people ‘didn’t know what to say or do’ when dealing with death and the care of those left grieving.  The Church of Jesus Christ has got the words and knows what to do.

Christians on Ageing will continue to explore this issue.  Our booklet on ‘Dying and Death’: what have Christians to say to secular society?’ is still available from our Bookstore.

You might like to read a recent review of ‘Terminal Illness’, by Drs Elizabeth Toy, Catherine O’Neill and Sarah Jackson, Redemptorist Publications.

Filed Under: Speaking Out

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Speaking Out

There are some things which just have to be said.  We have to speak out because at the heart of the Christian message is our belief that God is not silent.  God has spoken through creation itself and the evolving universe; through the human story; through the dwelling of Jesus Christ in time; through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each believer; through the inspiration of the scriptures; and through the wisdom and the teaching of the Church through the ages.

We use words all the time.  Words of welcome.  Words of wisdom.  Words of warmth.  Words of warning.  Words of wistfulness.  Our words are wasted if words are just words.   In the beginning was the Word.  And the Word was with God.  And the Word was God.  Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made things happen.

As Christians, as followers of the Word, we do something about what we have heard.  Our own best words are our actions.

Please tell us what you would like us to Speak Out about by contacting:  info@ccoa.org.uk

 

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Comment & Opinion

Christians on Ageing cannot deal with every issue affecting the lives of older people but it can highlight those which are causing public debate or concern.  The charity’s first task is to identify these for its members and to provide information about the nature of the debate and the variety of views and opinions being proposed.  Unless members of Christians on Ageing have been canvassed for their views or the Executive Committee has taken a policy decision, the articles here are to be considered an exploration of the issues rather than a formal comment.  The nature of the contribution to the debate will always be made clear.

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Reflect and Pray

Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.  Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.  Lead me from hope to love, from war to peace.  Let peace fill my heart, our world, our universe.

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Ms Barbara Stephens
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