Abstract
This chapter will discuss cultural approaches and views of death, dying, and bereavement among Native Americans. We begin by focusing on the macro including an introduction to the culture, general demographics, examples of loss and trauma, and the natural order of things. We examine differences among tribes in dealing with death and dying, traditional ways of care for and disposal of the dead, and understanding the importance and role of family members in dealing with death. We also discuss the importance placed on culture, common cultural practices, and provide a tribal-specific example of mourning practices. The current research and lack of evidence-based practices and common standards of care are discussed and a case example is provided.
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Notes
- 1.
We recognize that different terms are used by different groups to refer to this population. While American Indian is the federal government term used in treaties and official dealings with Native peoples or First Nations in the United States, we have chosen to use the more general Native American term throughout this chapter to represent this population.
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Sharp, C., Beckstein, A., Limb, G., Bullock, Z. (2015). Completing the Circle of Life: Death and Grief Among Native Americans. In: Cacciatore, J., DeFrain, J. (eds) The World of Bereavement. International and Cultural Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13945-6_13
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