ABSTRACT
This chapter uses only when there is evidence that the individual is utilizing defense mechanisms to protect himself against awareness of death or something death-related. However, we suggest no mystique for death attitudes—they undoubtedly vary as a function of situation, mood, experience, and shifting cultural milieu, just as all other attitudes vary. There seems little doubt that ethnic background is an important factor in attitudes, feelings, beliefs, and expectations that people have regarding dying, death, and bereavement. Ever since Glaser and Strauss published their monograph, Awareness of Dying, the issue of whether the patient should be made aware of his coming death has been discussed—sometimes heatedly—among physicians, nurses, clergymen, behavioral scientists, and others. Most people want the clergyman presiding at the funeral to be selected by their family after their death, and most prefer that he be of their ethnic group.
