ABSTRACT
Death and dying are experiences known to all human societies. How people manage these important social transitions is determined by the values and beliefs that govern their society, level of technology available, and types of death they most commonly encounter. Sudden death has always been a part of the human condition. Prolonged dying by large numbers of people is a phenomenon of the 20th century brought about by the appearance of urban industrial systems of existence and increased life expectancy. Cross-cultural studies of societal practices for coping with death reveal several common customs: the use of priests or special functionaries at funeral ceremonies; isolation or separation of the bereaved from other members of society; and final ceremonies that bring the mourning period to an end after a culturally prescribed period of weeks, months, or sometimes years. After the fall of Rome, caregiving institutions in Europe developed as manifestations of Christian values, and they were managed and run by religious communities.
