Are you ready to talk about death?
Chances are, you’re not.
Heck, no one likes to think about death, let alone discuss it. It’s a taboo subject in most societies. No
one looks forward to death because of the emotional pain, psychological suffering
and a host of inconveniences that comes thereafter. It’s the same problem, looking at the death
bed, or from it.
However, there are some cases when death comes bringing emotional
relief, psychological remedy and a host of conveniences. It could also be the same solution, looking at
the death bed, or from it.
I’m sure some of us may have come across these thoughts, “He’s suffered
enough, please death, come swift and ease
the pain” or “Please God, take me away, I’ve had enough” or “When is this
tyrant going to die and rid us all of this misery”.
In Malaysia, we’ve seen facilities upgraded and roads resurfaced during
campaigns for by elections triggered by the demise of MPs. And let’s not forget the nagging urge to elect
a better leader of the state because some people just won’t step down. They take the vow “Till death do us part”
literaly for everything they own.
So tell me, is death such a taboo subject after all?
Apparently many still think it is.
I’ve had two friends asking for help to complete a survey relating to
death. One is a catholic priest furthering
his studies for a Masters Degree in Counseling with a project on ‘Getting to
terms with death in the family’ and the other is a Buddhist activist with a PhD
project titled ‘End of Life and a Good Death’.
Both of them are facing difficulty in getting the required number of
participants in their survey. Race and
religion are some of the factors causing us to shy away from the discussion of
death. Some may be facing death and some
may still be traumatized by deaths of their loved ones. Still, some just don’t really think about it
and therefore never gave it much thought.
Perhaps if you’ve read this far, I could reach out and request for your
assistance to give my friend just 5 minutes of your time to briefly answer a few
questions. If you are reluctant to click
on any link, here are the questions you will face in the survey, following a
brief introduction to the survey. I’ve
included some of my short answers, just for sharing. Of
course you may be elaborate and lengthy, it’s all up to you.
Begin Quote…
I am conducting a research survey on End of Life and a Good
Death for my PhD project.
It's my PhD project which I have completed the pilot study
and now going into full research.
The idea started as a feedback of my previous public
lectures and the intention is to create awareness of this important topic since
it's a taboo in so many societies. Understanding the meaning of death alone can
plant the seed for accepting and thus preparing death.
The results of the research will provide generalizable
knowledge of the attitudes and experiences of our community on a good death and
we could fill the gaps of the knowledge through public education, talks and
other supports.
We would be grateful if you took a few minutes to fill in
this anonymous research on End of Life Care and a Good Death. With your
voluntary participation to provide honest feedback to us, the research content
can only get better and benefit more people in the future. Please feel free to
ignore survey questions that you are not comfortable answering.
Thank You.
1. Gender
2. May I know your Age, Race, Religion, Nationality and
Profession?
3. Have you thought of the death of your loved ones?
4. If yes, who have you thought about and what have you
thought about?
My answer: Parents suffering illness and watching them
slowly dying.
5. Have you thought of your own death?
My answer : Yes.
6. If yes, what have you thought about?
My answer : Sudden death, leaving loved ones in pain,
unfinished business.
7. What is a good death to you?
My Answer: Knowing my time, having enough time to settle
things well and say goodbye to my loved ones.
8. How can you achieve this good death?
My answer: Impossible to be certain, but plan to live a
fulfilling life, take care of my health, mental and physical, be honest and
sincere (even if it hurts), love and be loved. Above all of that, have faith in
God and keep it.
Thank you for coming and completing this survey. Please
email me if you have further queries at everygooddeath@gmail.com For an
independent opinion regarding the research and the rights of research
participants, you may contact a staff member of the National University of
Singapore Institutional Review Board (Attn: Ms Tan Hui Cheng, at telephone 65-
6516 7359 or email at irb@nus.edu.sg)
With Gratitude,
Robin Chan Tuck Wai
Powered by SurveyMonkey
Create your own free online survey now!
End Quote.
Here’s the facebook invitation
You may notice the online survey is powered by SurveyMonkey. I just had to put a lighter note to this
serious matter by telling my friend “Haha, it’s powered by surveymonkey. As if
the survey is conducted by a monkey. No offense”
Good thing he wasn’t offended.
Such a good spirit. Do lend him
a hand ya. It is a very brief survey after all.
