Original version

BBC World Service South Asia

CrowdScience

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe

We take your questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

CrowdScience: Can we get better at accepting death?

Discussion & Talk

GettyImages-1301809503_crop.jpg

24/06/2022 GMT

Can we get better at accepting death?

BBC World Service - CrowdScience, Can we get better at accepting death?

How can we make the end of life a more positive experience for all involved?

How can we face up to the impending death of a loved one, and make the end of life a more positive experience for all involved?

Death is inevitable, though many of us would rather not dwell on it. For those with a terminal illness, however, the end of life is clearly a more pressing reality.

CrowdScience listener Sam has known for a while that her illness is terminal, and by now she’s got used to the idea. But she finds many friends and family would rather avoid the subject at all costs; they don’t want to acknowledge what’s happening until it’s all over. She’s wondering if there’s a way to lighten up the topic of her approaching death, and create the openness she craves.

If we could learn to be more accepting of illness and dying, the end of life could be a more positive experience for all involved. So how can we face up to the impending death of a loved one, and best support that person in the process?
In search of answers, we talk a clinical psychologist about death anxiety, visit a death café, and learn about a scheme in India where whole communities are trained in caring for people at the end of life.

With Dr Rachel Menzies, Abigail Griffin, Dr Suresh Kumar and Rebecca Nellis. Thanks to Lola, Juan, Leon, Qayyah, Bessy, Madhumita, Ashley, Amaru, Mila and Sheila.

Presented by Caroline Steel
Produced by Cathy Edwards for the BBC World Service

[Image: A woman sitting next to her sister who has cancer. She is wearing a headscarf. Credit: Getty Images]

Accessibility links

Programme Index

CrowdScience

Can we get better at accepting death?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service