Promoting African Americans’ Planning of Their Life and Death: The Journey Home

Description

Often, death is a forbidden subject among African Americans except for the spiritual practice of “going home” to be the Lord. Therefore, there was limited planning of their affairs while here on earth. However, death is an important aspect of African American culture, planning for life and death is an important aspect of living. If people do not plan their life it may bring hardship to their family members. So, often, family members especially the African American family are left with many challenges of probate court, funeral, and healthcare cost after their loved one has gone on. Planning of life and death needs to be a continuous process before the journey home. This self-help book is useful for clergies, family, and health and human services workers in addressing cultural issues of planning life affairs for African Americans. Historically, in the United States, African Americans’ view on death and dying has been a holistic perspective. The holistic perspective views birth and death as circular instead of a continuum. In contrast, to the African American, Western European views death in a more linear perspective. These views have an impact on their method of planning. This book is dedicated to Deacon Samuel Roberts Sr. and Irene Jacobs Roberts who are the parents of Dr. Bernice Roberts Kennedy.