Measuring Spirituality, Religiosity, and Denial in Individuals Working in Funeral Service to Predict Death Anxiety

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine predictors of death anxiety in U.S. funeral directors/embalmers who were part of a larger study (n = 234). Backward stepwise multiple regression was conducted to determine whether or not spirituality, intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, and denial predicted levels of death anxiety. Results indicated that spirituality along with age of the participants accounted for 19% of the variance of death anxiety, R2 = .190, R2(adj) = .180, F(2, 168) = 19.64, p < .001. Intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, and denial were not significant in the regression model. Several items, however, in the model had a significant positive correlation with each other at the .01 alpha level including spirituality with intrinsic religiosity (r = .63) and age (r = .21), and intrinsic religiosity with denial (r = .22) and age (r = .24). Other variables correlated negatively with one another at the .01 alpha level. Namely, death anxiety with spirituality (-.38), intrinsic religiosity (r = -.36), and age (-.28); spirituality with extrinsic religiosity (-.22); intrinsic religiosity with extrinsic religiosity (-.45); and extrinsic religiosity with age (r = -.19). Limitations of the study and implications for practice were discussed.

Living Authentically in the Face of Death: Predictors of Autonomous Motivation Among Individuals Exposed to Chronic Mortality Cues Compared to a Matched Community Sample

“…These findings contribute to our understanding of this understudied population, who appear to possess relatively high capacities for openly confronting and processing threatening or stressful stimuli. These findings extend past work focusing on the predictors of death anxiety within funeral/ cemetery workers (e.g., Harrawood, 2010), by considering the predictors of more positive forms of psychological functioning within this population.…”

Challenges and Opportunities of Providing Pediatric Funeral Services: A National Survey of Funeral Professionals

“…Prior adult evidence suggests that funeral professional often encounter anxiety in delivering unique funerals or those that involve sudden loss. 7,8 Although improved partnerships with pastoral care to assist with bereavement has been suggested for funeral professionals, 6 training in emotional intelligence might also be an important option for these professionals. 15 Emotional intelligence training is a set of practical skills that help individuals become fluent in understanding their own and others' emotions and support their mental health.…”

“…The bereavement experiences associated with the loss of a child deeply impact funeral home staff, and can create either a deeply negative or positive experience for families. 3,4 Although several studies have focused on funeral professionals and adult services, [5][6][7][8] an emerging literature suggests that funeral professionals might have a significant role in providing services to families upon the death of a child. Michaelson and Lund examined the role and found that the characteristics of funeral professionals include service, commitment, genuine care, compassion, ability to communicate and listen, confidentiality, conscientiousness, honesty, physical strength, supporting families, and restorative art.…”

“…9 However, many funeral professionals experience a high level of anxiety in performing pediatric funeral services because they perform so few of them and they do not receive much formal training in pediatric funerals. 8 In fact, pediatric funeral guidelines and education are sparse. 4 For example, the educational requirements for funeral director licensure, including pediatric services, varies from state to state.…”

Gambaran Masalah Psikososial Lanjut Usia Saat Pandemi Covid-19

“…Spiritualitas merupakan salah satu faktor yang mempengaruhi kesiapan sesorang menghadapi kematian (Khanna & Greyson, 2014). Lansia yang mampu menerima kondisi kenyataan hidup tanpa penyesalan dan perasaan putus asa akan lebih siap mengadapi kematian tanpa muncul rasa kecemasan (Harrawood, 2010). Spiritualitas dibutuhkan lansia dalam menghadapi hari tua.…”