Atiba Rougier is a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. He was a hospice volunteer, and his research centers on what it means to die with dignity and the role vigil plays in the bereavement process.
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Description
"This anthology offers students an invaluable look at death and dying. The articles offer a rich tapestry of insights into some of the big questions of life: Why do we fear death? What does it mean to die with dignity? What does it mean to live a good life? All who are curious about these questions will savor this treat of a book." George Gmelch, Professor of Anthropology, Union College and the University of San Francisco "This is truly an incredible piece of writing! Richly poetic, a personal reflection yet also a reflection on the social and political world we humans share, full of interesting comparisons and analogies, and above all, intensely passionate, questioning, seeking, and self-conscious. It really touched me, and will many other readers as well, I'm sure." David Kaczynski, Former Executive Director of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra "Why we live and why we die give us deeper understanding about ourselves. Some of the countries, religions, or centuries produce ways that groups develop ritual practices for the death of someone. For some of us, the ritual practice is a conventional funeral; for ancient cultures, many group burials of others accompany a king's burial...The important information in this book is stunning for those of us who want to hear and learn about other countries having a different way of dying...The book is very modern. It's telling us a lot about what is happening now...The phrasing of words such as 'dignity,' 'loved one,' 'reverence,' and 'beauty' give us gentle time for reading the chapters... Linda Patrik, Professor of Philosophy, Union College