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Human Growth and Development / Unit 17   HGD 2456 short lesson, about 20 seconds

A Good Death in the West

Captions available

The idea

The modern Western ideal of a good death is peaceful, dignified and pain-free, in old age, at home, with time to prepare but not prolonged.

In practice

Before the twentieth century, death usually came from acute illness, publicly, managed by family and clergy.

Where people slip

The ideal is cultural; many people's actual deaths differ from it.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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