Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD, Psychology and Culture

Today is a day of mourning and the funeral service of former US President, Jimmy Carter. In today's post, I consider the psychology of funerals. Funerals hold significant psychological value for individuals and communities, serving as both a ritual of closure and a means of collective support. Here are some key aspects of their value: Emotional Closure : Funerals provide a structured way for individuals to say their final goodbyes, helping them to begin the process of accepting the reality of loss and moving through the stages of grief. Social Support: Gathering family and friends creates a support network, reminding mourners they are not alone in their sorrow. This collective mourning can foster a sense of connection and shared experience. Ritual and Tradition : Rituals offer comfort through their predictability and familiarity. Participating in time-honored customs can provide a sense of continuity and stability during a tumultuous time. Expression of Feelings : Funerals offer a ...

Alzheimer's took his mind long before his body leaving his wife and children with years of distress instead of a time to mourn his loss. When he stopped breathing, words of comfort arrived online and in cards. "Our prayers and thoughts are with you," they wrote. They meant it too. Loving people care. Some send flowers. Others call. From time to time people post calls to action online. They appear frustrated by "prayers and thoughts" that seem to replace more meaningful action. Children die in a school shooting and people offer prayers and thoughts. But grieving parents and friends want action. "This shouldn't happen!" they scream. A crowd of sobbing people gather near an impromptu memorial of flowers. They tightly hug survivors of the bombing that separated lovers, family members, and friends. Sincere comments appear on social media pages, "Our prayers and thoughts are with you." What else can we do? We feel so helpless sometim...

Creating Good Memories After a Loss I knew something was wrong when my dad came to take me out of fifth grade in the middle of the day. In the old grey ’49 Plymouth, mum was crying. Soon we were at Idlewild for my first flight back home- London, England. For days, my aunt Joan’s home in East Finchley (North London) was a grand central station-- family coming and going. Funny old stories repeated. Newfangled Lego blocks were really cool. A visit to Aunt Lilly and Uncle Jack’s sweet shop (actually a small grocers- I focus on what’s important). Then there were trips to old friends. The lights of Oxford St and Regent St. A walk with dad by the Thames whilst mum grieved with her sisters and her dad. Good memories amidst the sorrow. The 5 th December, marks the anniversary of my maternal grandmother’s death and a special memory. I’ve lived more than six decades. My wife and I have known many losses. And some of our loved ones died very close to Christmas. I’ve learn...