Association for Death Education and Counselling 37th Annual Conference (ADEC) 2015

Loss is a universal experience and a normal, natural, necessary life experience. Each of us navigates loss in our own singular way based on our personality, culture, world views, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds, and the circumstances surrounding the death. While there are commonalities within and among cultures, each culture has diversity in rituals and traditions related to dying and death. For a diverse group of professionals working in the field of thanatology, an understanding of various cultures is crucial to providing appropriate support for the dying and the bereaved. Thanatologists participating in this conference will have an opportunity to increase their cultural competence while examining attitudes around loss.