It might seem peculiar to think of death as something you can do well. But, in the end, there are few things we would want for ourselves and our loved ones more than a “good death.” Thinking about death as a journey, and not just a specific moment in time can help us to understand what it means to die well. But, as with any journey, one needs to prepare for it.
“When We Die,” a new three-part video series from Patheos in partnership with Aria Swarr and Kumni Films, focuses on the concept of having a “good death” and experiencing a “good goodbye.” The series seeks to comfort the dying and those who are left behind to mourn their passing. It does so by talking about how we can better prepare for death, highlighting evidence we might have for life after death, and describing how certain funeral customs or mourning traditions can help us remember the dead and feel their closeness once they are gone.
In episode one, “A Friend For the End,” we explore the role hospital chaplains play in comforting not only the person who is dying but also the family members who are grieving. We meet three chaplains who tell their individual stories of serving the dying and their families, striving to demystify death and remove the fear which so often accompanies it.
The second episode, “Visiting the Beyond,” explores the concept of near-death experiences (or NDEs). A journalist shares her story of transformation from not believing in an “afterlife” to becoming convinced that there is a “life beyond”—all through studying the lives of dozens of “death travelers” who have seen the beyond and come back to talk about it. This episode highlights the experiences of two people she interviewed and the remarkable things they learned while they were “dead.”
Funeral traditions vary from religion to religion and culture to culture. However, in the third and final episode of “When We Die,” we learn about how these practices are each designed as a rite of passage and as vehicles to help those who have lost a loved one to cope more effectively with that loss. In this episode, we learn about death rituals, what they mean for those who participate in them, and how they facilitate a “good goodbye” between the living and the dead.
Death is something we all experience but thinking about dying can cause anxiety and discomfort. Our hope is that listening to the various lessons chaplains, journalists, and funeral directors have learned while being so close to death may help you find comfort and peace whenever you ponder death or dying. We invite you to join us July 7, 2021 on the Patheos YouTube Channel for the premiere of “When We Die.” New episodes will air weekly through July 21, 2021.
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