Changing Ways of Death in Twentieth Century Australia (Paperback)

This work presents the first general history of death and bereavement in twentieth century Australia. It starts with the culture of 'death denial' from 1920 to 1970 and discusses increased openness about death since the 1980s. The prize-winning author has a compelling style, which in spite of the subject, is highly engaging. Death and bereavement come to us all. This is the first book to help us explain and understand their history across twentieth-century Australia. It draws aside the veil of silence that surrounded death for fifty years after 1918 - characterised by denial, minimal ritual and private sorrow - and explores the dramatic changes since the 1980s. Emotional and compelling, award-winning writer Pat Jalland's important book looks at the World Wars and the impact of medicine, with many stories drawn from letters and diaries. She also discusses cancer, euthanasia, palliative care, the funeral business, cemeteries, and cremation.