MODULE TWO: COUNSELLING - FHI 360 Center for Global Health ...

SESSION 9
Death and Grieving
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES
YEF HIV/AIDS Hotline counsellors may receive calls from clients who have lost a
loved one to AIDS or who are dying of AIDS themselves. While it is not possible
to provide intensive psychological counselling, counsellors need a basic
knowledge of issues related to death and grieving.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this session, participants will have:
1. Discussed the different cultural practices related to death and grieving in
Nigeria.
2. Reviewed the grieving process.
3. Identified signs that a person is grieving.
4. Examined cultural differences regarding death and grieving.
5. Role-played scenarios about grief and dying.
SESSION NOTES
CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS OF DEATH AND GRIEVING
Death is perceived differently across cultures, and different cultures have their
own traditions for grieving. These differences can be based on religion, ethnic
group or other factors. Following are some ways that death and dying may
differ across cultures. These are just a few examples…encourage participants to
add their own ideas.
Funeral practices:
•Burial of the body
•Displaying of the body prior to burial
♦Length of time
♦Place
♦Preparation and dressing of the body
•Place of burial
•Role of religious figures
•Payment of funeral costs
•Type of memorial service
Session 9 – Pg. 1