Taboo topic of death: This is how Viennese prepare to say goodbye!

Taboo topic of death: This is how Viennese prepare to say goodbye!

In Vienna, the topic of mortality is increasingly becoming a topic of conversation, and not just in doctors' offices. Death is often perceived as an unpleasant taboo that many people prefer not to talk about. This trend has intensified not least due to the easing of the Corona restrictions, which is causing many people to reflect more intensively on their own transience. Severe losses in family or friends repeatedly confront the population with their own finitude. The large private funeral company Himmelblau reports that relatives are beginning to prepare for farewells and learn more about dying.

How can we prepare for the last phase of our lives? As you get older, the question of your own mortality comes into focus. We are often plagued by fear of pain or unwanted medical measures. According to Deutschlandfunk Kultur, more and more people are working on the creation of living wills in order to preserve self-determination until the end of life. Robert Roßbruch, lawyer for health and medical law, emphasizes that the fear of the way of dying is often greater than the fear of death itself. Informative information about the possibilities and rights seems to be urgently needed here in order to promote an open discussion.

Social taboos and ethical considerations

Dealing with dying also requires a deeper examination of fundamental questions about human existence. One aspect that is often pushed into the background is the fact that modern medicine can extend life, but this also brings with it the risk of long-term illness. The German Ethics Council emphasizes that these possibilities challenge our society to deal with the circumstances of dying and death.

It is not only important to talk about dying, but also how it can be accompanied. The development of palliative medicine and hospice care is crucial. These approaches aim to alleviate fears of pain or loneliness during the dying process. Contrary to popular belief, it is not normal for the majority of people to die in hospitals or nursing homes. Instead, many people often wish to die in a hospice, where the quality of the final phase of life is the priority.

Rights and self-determination

A well-drafted living will is binding for doctors and regulates which medical measures are desired or rejected. The requirements for such an order have been legally strengthened in recent years, which expands the individual's desire for self-determination in the final phase of life. A supplement to this are emergency ID cards, which enable quick decisions in critical situations, as well as health care powers of attorney, which enable trustworthy people to be entrusted with health decisions.

Nevertheless, the topic of end-of-life care remains a controversial topic. Palliative medicine experts, such as Heiner Melching from the German Society for Palliative Medicine, are calling for more information about end-of-life scenarios. Death is often still perceived as a taboo in society, which makes communication about dying wishes even more difficult. Only by facing these challenges can we alleviate the fear of the unknown.

In summary, it can be said that coming to terms with your own death and the associated rights and decisions is of great importance. In a time in which life is increasingly dominated by medical options, consciously dealing with mortality and striving for a dignified, self-determined end to life remains an important social task.