Philosophical approaches to death and dying. I am prepping a college course; looking for great readings on philosophical questions about death, but also: world religious/cultural traditions about dying/funerals/mourning/afterlife, how people in death-related jobs see their work (undertakers, hospice workers, doctors, chaplains, military/police...), writings of people who have terminal illnesses, psychological research on preparation for dying, etc. [more inside]
posted by LobsterMitten on Dec 14, 2010 - 51 answers

Someone close to me recently passed away. For the most part I'm okay, but what stops me in my tracks is the idea that there may not be an afterlife. How do I come to terms with this? [more inside]
posted by Metroid Baby on Mar 3, 2009 - 41 answers

Am I crazy, or is there a book about a man trying to voyage to the afterlife? [more inside]
posted by gc on Mar 14, 2008 - 18 answers

Do reports of hauntings exist in atheist or non-Christian countries to such an extent as they do in America? I'm fascinated by the myriad of documentaries that appear every week regarding hauntings/ghosts/etc. Do atheistic countries with no particular spiritual influence (i.e. Sweden vs. China) have such high reports of hauntings or reports of ghosts? What about Islamic cultures?
posted by Gnostic Novelist on Mar 31, 2007 - 31 answers

Metaphysical Filter: Can you help me to find information related to this metaphysical experience? [more inside]
posted by dudiggy on Nov 14, 2006 - 18 answers

Why are people who believe in heaven sad about death?
posted by Pretty_Generic on Apr 9, 2005 - 28 answers

Is death the end?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Oct 8, 2004 - 74 answers