Perinatal Bereavement and America’s Death-Denying Culture

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The subject of death, which has historically been a difficult and uncomfortable one for Americans, continues to be highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, watching news coverage of the coronavirus death toll, or entering medical facilities at this time, may be the most tangible display of our mortality they have ever experienced. From the way we speak about dying, or handle losing loved ones, to end-of-life care for dying patients in hospitals, American culture has always been one to avoid the subject of death. Mere decades ago, those dying in hospitals were put into a room at the end of a hall, behind a shut door, with few people permitted to enter. Although we have taken steps away from that outdated practice, there is still much ground to cover in shifting our attitude toward death, and the subsequent process of bereavement.

On this HealthCetera podcast, Dr. Diana Mason, PhD, RN, host of this program, speaks with Dr. Rana Limbo, PhD, RN, CPLC, FAAN, about how Americans might shift their views of death and dying, with particular attention to how we view the deaths of young people and infants. Dr. Limbo is a registered nurse, Director Emerita, and Co-founder of Resolve Through Sharing at Gundersen Medical Foundation, Inc. in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

This interview first aired on HealthCetera in the Catskills on WIOX Radio, on May 26, 2021.

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Dr. Diana Mason, PhD, RN, host of