Thinking Allowed Death
Jun 17, 2025
Molly Conisbee, a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Death and Society, shares her insights on the societal history of mortality, emphasizing the everyday experiences of death beyond royal narratives. She discusses historical burial practices and the impact of urbanization. Chao Fang, a Sociology lecturer, examines the concept of a 'good death' in China, contrasting it with Western ideas that prioritize individual choice. They explore the cultural significance of family roles in dying and grieving practices, shedding light on the evolving interpretations of death.
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Lessons From Historical Mortality
- While child mortality and infectious deaths have decreased greatly, life expectancy now varies by economic and social status in the UK.
- Some Victorian diseases re-emerge, so continued vigilance and health measures remain vital.
Death Was a Home Affair
- Until the 20th century, most people died at home, cared for by family members.
- Death was integrated into home life, making dying and mourning more familiar and communal experiences.
The Watcher Mary Yen
- Mary Yen was a nurse and watcher who people paid in 18th-19th century London to sit with the dying, comfort them, and watch for signs of death.
- Watchers helped confirm death before modern medical tools existed.