No one is going to make it out of here alive! That’s one thing we can all agree on. Even though death is the natural and necessary end of our lives, it’s often talked about in a vague or secret way, which can lead to confusion and more fear or anxiety. Here are 19 common myths about dying that need to be busted so that we can have a better view of it.
1. Dying is Clinical
Medical care is very important, especially for controlling pain and other symptoms, but one of the myths about dying is that it is just about hospitals and doctors. That is not the case. Focus on making a caring and peaceful space for them, whether they are in the hospital or at home. As well as giving them medical care, playing their favorite music, putting up pictures they love, or reading to them.
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2. Dying is Isolating
You might not be able to be with them when they die, but they don’t have to go through it alone. Let them know you’re there for them and encourage them to stay in touch with people they care about. Remember that loss can bring people together (like at an Irish wake!) and it can even change your view enough to fix broken bonds or start new relationships.
3. Moving On Is the Same As Forgetting
Your friend or family member wouldn’t want you to be sad all the time, and they wouldn’t expect you to stop living your life for them. Don’t feel bad about selling their house or things, spending time with other people, or starting to enjoy life again. You don’t have to forget the person who died; you just have to learn how to live without them.
4. Grief Has A Deadline
Grieving lasts for as long as it takes, and some people will always be missing from your life after they die. This can’t be helped, and it will take some time to get used to their absence. You may never fully get over your grief, though. It is nothing more than one of the myths about dying that you have to get over grief. If your sadness is too much for you to handle or you’re having a hard time coping, get help from a professional. A grief counselor or therapist can help you deal with your loss and give you advice.
5. Silence is Respect
After someone has died, you shouldn’t avoid talking about them. Psychology Today even says that you should be as honest as you can about them, including the bad things about them and the mistakes they’ve made in the past. Even after someone has died, it’s important to be honest about them. Talking about them will help keep their memory alive and help you deal with your grief.
6. Children Can’t Cope
We don’t give kids enough credit for how smart and strong they are mentally. It’s important to be honest about death and how it will affect everyone, including them. You may choose to leave out some of the more unpleasant or painful facts. Use simple words and don’t use euphemisms when you answer their questions. Also, let them know it’s okay to feel sad or scared.
7. Spirituality Needs Belief
Finding meaning and purpose in life is what spirituality is all about. You don’t have to be religious or read religious books to be spiritual. During their last days, many people find comfort in spiritual practices like praying, mindfulness, or meditation. However, someone who isn’t religious probably won’t become religious overnight. Don’t judge or make fun of them as they try out different things to see what brings them peace.
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8. Discussing Funerals Is Morbid
You won’t get it if you don’t ask. That’s even more true when someone is dying and can’t answer. Talking to them about how they’d like to be buried can help you come to terms with their death and make sure their wishes are carried out. This can make the funeral arrangements more personal and important for the people left behind. It can also be less stressful to plan a funeral this way. One of the myths about dying will really become a myth, and not an acceptable reality, if we can’t talk about it.
9. Hospice Care is a Need
End-of-life care, which is also sometimes called palliative care, can happen in a place called a hospice, which offers medical care, pain relief, and emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For your loved one, this may be the best option. However, many people who are dying choose to stay in their own houses or are cared for by family in the last few months of their lives.
10. Euthanasia is the Answer
Euronews says that in Europe, assisted dying is only allowed in 5 countries. It is meant to end unnecessary pain and give people more dignity while they die. But a lot of people die peacefully and with honor if they get the right pain relief and emotional care. Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, is a complicated problem that isn’t always the best way to help people who are dying.
11. You Need False Hope
If someone is very old or has been told they are dying, there may not be much hope for them to get better. It’s normal to want more time or less pain, but it’s important to be honest about what’s happening and the fact that death is going to happen. If you have false hope, you might put off having important conversations or making important choices. Kindness without sugarcoating the truth is important.
12. Positive Vibes
It’s really hard to lose someone you care about, and acting like it’s not will not help you or them. Let yourself feel bad emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration. Be honest about how you feel and know that there will be bad days. It’s possible that the person who is dying also needs to talk about these feelings. You should be there to listen without judging.
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13. Tears Are Pointless
It is normal to cry when you are very sad or angry, and it is also normal to cry when you are dealing with a serious illness or the death of a loved one. Do not give ears to the myths about dying that say there is no use to tears. You should feel okay talking about how you feel, and you shouldn’t feel bad if you need to cry. Don’t hold back your sadness; you might not have many more chances to show the person you care how much you care.
14. Grief Has 5 Stages
According to a study by The NIH, the usual “Kübler-Ross model” of grief includes denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, this model doesn’t work for everyone who has lost someone. Each person deals with loss in their own unique way and at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Just let your feelings flow without trying to “fit” them into a certain order.
15. Dying People Lose Interest
You don’t change who you are inside just because you’re old, weak, or sick. For many people who are dying, hobbies and other things that interest them are the best way to pass the time. Strong or long-lasting feats may not be possible for them, but they can still enjoy art, music, or theater, have pets, read or write books, knit, cook, or make crafts.
16. Only Close Family Matters
Someone who is dying isn’t dead yet, and they should be able to choose who they see and spend time with as long as their mind is still clear. They might want to talk to close friends, religious leaders, lawyers, or lawyers. Don’t guess who they want to spend time with; they don’t have much time left, so let them choose.
17. Dying People Are Weak
Even though people who are very sick are often physically weak in the later stages, that doesn’t mean their thoughts aren’t as strong and tough as ever. One of the biggest myths about dying is that terminally ill patients have given up. Some people with diseases that will kill them stay strong and busy for a long time, while others get weaker as time goes on. People who are physically weak may still be strong-willed and emotionally strong.
18. Discussing Death is Taboo
People generally don’t like talking about death, which is why we use euphemisms like “passing away.” According to Busch Funeral Homes, “Facing it forces us to accept the truth of the situation: that death is inevitable. So we avoid the subject until it’s too late.” This hesitancy makes it harder to have a healthy, open conversation about the subject.
19. Death Always Hurts
We end with perhaps the most poignant one of all the myths about dying. Most of us have only seen and heard about death in movies, where people scream and wail over horrible injuries all the time. In real life, most people die of old age or illness, and pain control is a big part of palliative care. Even people who have painful terminal illnesses, like cancer, can usually be kept pretty comfortable in their last days.
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