Perspectiva antropológica y psicosocial de la muerte y el duelo

Abstract

T he present crisis of values which industrali-sed societies are suffering from, leads us to avoid any thought related to death or berea-vement. Instead, the desire for consumer goods, immediate enjoyment and non-limit pleasure is the general aim. In this study, an anthropological reflection about the evolution of the rituals and beliefs acompanying the death phenomenon is made. Later, this study deals with the idea of fear to the dead as a belief which determines the ritual ceremonies and the bereavement process. From the concept of bereavement, as a universal reaction to loss, the social functions of bereavement rituals as an external expression of feelings are explored. Besides, death and bereavement produce psy-chosocial transitions which in the health context become risk situations when coping with feelings of loss. An attempt will be made to get a closer view of the psychosocial factors which are present in this situations. Finally, the changes in values and cultural beliefs which influence the experience of death and bereavement in western societies will be approached.