Why is death a taboo subject?
by Laura Clipson
• Published 18/07/2022
Death is something that everyone is familiar with, yet it is something rarely spoken about. The one thing that is certain about life is that it ends - everyone will die someday. It seems silly not to talk about something that happens to everyone eventually. It also makes it difficult when we’re grieving someone we’ve lost, as we feel like we can’t talk about it.
- Most people shy away from even thinking about their own mortality, let alone discussing it with loved ones.
- It is the unknown that fills us with fear when it comes to our deaths, and the deaths of our loved ones. It is something we have no control over, and a lack of control can bring on feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
- The thought of our loved ones dying and the subsequent anguish that we will have to go through is enough to discourage further thoughts in that direction.
- Many people think it’s morbid to discuss anything to do with death, such as preferred funeral arrangements, and prefer not to think about such things until they are forced to.
- It’s something we all must face eventually, through the death of our loved ones and our own mortality.
- When a loved one dies, their family and friends will want to honour them in the best way possible, and if it hasn’t been discussed beforehand this can make funeral arrangements difficult as you’re not sure what your lost family member would want, which can make you feel like you’re failing them.
- Talking about death openly may help to reduce our fears surrounding it, having a positive effect on mental health.
- Being able to talk about death can help those who are grieving, as they can hear from others who have gone through similar things, helping them feel less alone. It can also encourage those who are struggling to speak up and ask for help.
Having open conversations about death can help us and those around us be more prepared when the inevitable happens. It’s not a pleasant topic to think about or discuss, but it is important to have open and honest conversations with your loved ones about death.
Thank you for reading.
