How have attitudes and practices surrounding death changed in Britain today?

Answer 1

Throughout the centuries people's attitudes and pratices towards death have changed greatly, due to society changing. This takes into consideration such things as, the change in modern medicine, culture and growth in society today, as going back many centuries, it was only the rich that could afford a proper burial and last rights given to them. And throughout society the cost of medicine and care were limited to the rich.

Therefore the poor people in society died young not being able to afford medicine and care. There burials were often crude, being sent to a poppers grave was often the case, whereby they were granted a burial, but without any send off or epitaph to commemorate their life and death. This was once called a No-mans grave. Peoples attitudes were non- chalont in these eras, as it was common practice and just the way of their society and what they were used to.

Although the changes been made to society's infa- structure and social economy throughout the years has changed society vastly in practices , it is therefore not only the rich who qualify for this civil right of being buried , but everyones right.

Now we see everyone from all backgrounds in todays society are entitled to this common practice; whether rich, poor, colour, creed or religion.

Nowadays in society it is a persons right to choose what they want done with their remenants after death, whether its given to further scientific experiment or the decision to be cremated. Therefore the legal system control most of the protocol surrounding death and its practices.

As death has to be certified so that no foul play has come about and therefore a certificated warrant has to be given for any individuals occurrance of death. This is so as to lie any criminal deviancy, intent and purpose to rest.

Also an individuals preference and want comes into play through the legal system of making a coherent will, therefore also making practices and attitudes change in respect to death by allowing it to be a civilised procedure. This also acts as decision making for legal hearings and the distribution of a persons, personal property, land and possessions without any agrivation attached, although wills can be testified agianst if seen fit by others (i.e.) family, friends or councils (etc)

So Yes, things have improved and changed greatly in today's society in the UK pertaining to death. It's not such a taboo subject as years gone by, now we see society expressing an interest and talking more about death and the circumstances surrounding death and their life after death. People now feel they need to know where to go for help and support with the loss and grief of a loved one, to finding equilibrium in life and moving onwards.

Therefore nowadays there are more bereavment sites and organizations out there that provide counselling for the many varied reasons and to many different people. It is through the establishment of these organizations that have also changed people's attitudes in society, which has ultimately benefited people to learn from experience and grow from it.