24 Feb PSY 121: Developmental Psychology Learning Unit 11: Assignment

Death & Dying Options

SLO: Analyze biological, cognitive, and socioemotional developmental processes for late adulthood,

describe psychological theories related to death, dying, and bereavement and develop critical thinking

skills.

For this activity, you are to select two (2) options to complete. This is free writing (no page limit) but

must be a well-developed response using APA formatting (Times New Roman, 12 fonts, double-spaced,

one-inch margins) and two (2) resources sited at the end of your document. Identify the option that

you are responding to and prepare both responses on one submission. No title page is needed.

Option 1: Hospice Care

Have you ever been involved in a dying person’s life who was receiving hospice care? If so, what types

of things did the hospice care worker do for the terminally ill person as well their family? What are the

benefits of Hospice? What services do they provide to the dying and family members? Would you be

willing to work as a hospice care worker? Why or why not?

Option 2: Euthanasia

What are your feelings toward euthanasia? Do you think it should be a legal issue? Why or why not? Are

there different types of euthanasia that you are in more agreement with? Why or why not? Have you

thought about whether or not you would want any of the different types of euthanasia presented in the

chapter performed on you? If so, what types of situations would lead you to this decision? Could you

carry out the living will of a family member or close friend if they requested a type of euthanasia? What

are the moral issues you would face? How do you think physicians reconcile these same dilemmas?

Option 3: Children and Dying

What are the ways in which your family handles children when a family member passes away? Do they

attend the funeral? Are they a part of the planning process? At what age do you think children should be

informed of the process of death and dying? Did your parents discuss death and dying with you when

you were a child? How should parents and adults answer children’s questions regarding death and

dying?

Option 4: Legality of Death

What are the different legal issues surrounding one’s death? How can a person help to alleviate the

problems their loved ones will face when they are either near death or dead? Do you know what a living

will is and do you have one? Where is it? Do your parents have one provided for you in the instance of

their death? Have you discussed your own wishes regarding your death with your family? How

comfortable are you and your family and friends discussing death and dying?

PSY 121: Developmental Psychology Learning Unit 11: Assignment

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Option 5: Budget for a Funeral or Cremation

Using the Internet or direct contact with a funeral home, put together a budget for an average funeral.

Minimally, include the cost of the casket, flower arrangements, embalming, transporting a body from

another state, if necessary, burial site, use of the funeral home, and head stone. If you plan to be

cremated, include the cost of the urn, location of housing your urn, and any other costs associated with

this final step in your life, as with a funeral. Include the costs of any other part of the funeral you think

should take place. Remember to site your sources.

Option 6: Loss of a Loved One

What are some ways you have handled losing a loved one? What did you do and feel as you passed

through the Kubler Ross stages? What suggestions do you have for other people that might help them

accept the loss of a loved one? Who was your support system during this emotional time? What did they

do that was most helpful to you?