Sir, – I notice an increase in the use of euphemisms for death and dying. Death is no longer spoken about openly and honestly perhaps explaining why we have adopted new words for the process. Instead of saying “died”, increasingly “passed” is used. Death is the one certainty in life; euphemisms avoid the reality; they do not help us to face death, which is crucial to grieve well.
Ireland has always had powerful traditions associated with death, burial, and bereavement, many of which are part of many Irish funerals today. It is important to retain these, and to continue to have strength to discuss death, dying and bereavement.
By doing so, we will better face death and avoid sanitising and stage-managing it.
Abandoning words like “passed” and returning to words like “death” and “dying” would be a good start. – Yours, etc,
Tony O’Reilly, Nell McCafferty, Ian Bailey and more: 50 people who died in 2024
Women are far more likely to re-gift unwanted presents than men
Restaurant of the year, best value and Michelin predictions: Our reviewer’s top picks of 2024
‘I personally only come here for the ladies’: Fog hits racing but not youthful glamour at Leopardstown
ELIZABETH TWOMEY DUGGAN,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.