The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
The Social Relations of Bereavement in the Caribbean
Authors:
Marshall, Ronald
Sutherland, Patsy
Source:
Omega: 2008. Volume 57, Issue 1, pp. 21-34.
Summary
The article discusses the bereavement practices of different Caribbean religious/ethnic/cultural groups on the islands of Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados. In the Caribbean, bereavement is associated with a variety of traditional values and religious rituals. Since the population in the Caribbean represents many different races, ethnic groups, and religious affiliations, there are many different social and religious practices that are followed by different groups. The authors note that Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and other religions are practiced in the Caribbean, and each religion has unique customs with regard to bereavement practices.
Key words: Caribbean, culture, norm, religion
Service Provider Implications
This article provides information that could help providers to better understand the cultural diversity that exists in the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados. Service providers will benefit from learning about some of the ways in which the diverse cultural groups approach grief and bereavement.
