Personification of Death in Ghanaian Death Notices

Bibliographic Data

ID13656237
AuthorsA Odasuo Alali (California State University, Bakersfield, corresponding author), Sophia A Adjaye (California State University, Bakersfield)
Year1998
Volume82
Issue1
Pages223-226
Publication date1998-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2466/pr0.1998.82.1.223
PMID9520558
OpenAlexW2120847105
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited8

Analysis of content of death notices (obituaries, in memoriams, and funeral announcements) may offer some explanation of how Ghanaians express their feelings about the death of loved ones and the meanings they assign to death and dying. Analysis of 371 death notices selected from two widely read Ghanaian newspapers, the Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times yielded six thematic expressions about death and dying: death is personified as cold and unfeeling and described as an ongoing painful experience: the deceased is described as beloved, devoted, and valued. Death notices indicate impending restructured roles and social relationships survivors face; the image and personality of the deceased are included; and the availability and proximity of the deceased's next of kin can be inferred. The findings add to the literature on (1) cultural attitudes toward death and (2) how death is managed and feelings about death and dying are expressed

Medical emergency · Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Health and Conflict Studies · Medicine · Psychology

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