ABSTRACT

This chapter presents a practical and interactive model useful in examining human differences, the impact of these differences on social and professional relationships, and the experiences of individuals with these differences at times of death and bereavement. Increased attention has been given by professionals who serve the dying and the grieving in developing new skills, insights, and information in relation to meeting the needs of various groups as defined along certain dimensions. Most modern societies face a number of challenges related to accommodating human differences. Coping with the issues related to multiculturalism is a characteristic of numerous societies. This pursuit of multiculturalism is evident in various ways; it affects the development of public policy, the delivery of social services, as well as many aspects of personal life. Although important demographic changes help to explain the increasing diversity of most modern nations, they cannot entirely account for the pursuit of multiculturalism.