Discuss different beliefs around death.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Death

I have always been slightly afraid of death, how I would cope if someone close to me died, or what happens to me when I die. I have been brought up as Church of England, and so, therefore I believe that when we die, our souls go to heaven.

However, I also have had a non-religious input, as well. It is for this reason, that I am not entirely convinced that there is a God, and so, I am don’t think that I am completely ‘entitled’ to believe that I will go to heaven when I die ~ (ridiculous, I know!)

I believe however, that regardless of how amazing and peaceful heaven is, death (ie the gateway to heaven) is not something to look forward to. I am of the view that life is sacred, and that, I am certain about.

I do not believe that we are reincarnated, because I have had more Christian impetus, and so I believe that after death, the soul’s life on earth stops, and stays in heaven for eternity.

As a result of this project, I have become much more aware of the beliefs of other religions, about death, and although it hasn’t changed my opinion, it has made me reflect on what ‘death’ means to other people. It has made me realise, how different religions, have found ways of coming to terms with death, for example:

Christians believe that when a person dies, ...

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I do not believe that we are reincarnated, because I have had more Christian impetus, and so I believe that after death, the soul’s life on earth stops, and stays in heaven for eternity.

Christians believe that when a person dies, they will go to heaven ~ a place of complete harmony, which means that for the people left behind, the death of someone, means that they left to go to a better place.

Hindus believe that ‘death is the beginning of a new life, and not the end of everything.’ As above, Hinduism teaches that death is not just an eternal punishment, but an ongoing cycle. This means that the people left behind are comforted with the knowledge that the dead are ‘safe’ although they have left their lives.

Although some people may believe that funeral customs are a waste of time, I don’t. This is for two main reasons:

When a person dies, the friends and relatives of the dead person, may possibly be suffering from tremendous grief. If this is the case, it is quite likely that they will not be thinking straight, and so it is much easier for the people left behind, to follow ‘by the book,’ ie, the relatives follow set teachings. For some reason, I think that it relieves the family of the stress of organising something, of their own accord.
Funeral customs are the last time, that the family and friends can pay their respects to the body, in person. The funerals can be very respectful of the dead, but they can also be joyful occasions, of celebration of the life of the passed away. Both of the above, help the friends and family cope with their loss, and enables them to come to terms with the death. It is for this reason that I do not believe that funeral customs are a waste of time, and when people have to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, I think that the will in the end, agree with me.

Hannah Jackson