Running head: RITUALS INTERVIEW

Rituals Interview
JoAnn Norman-Metcalf
Ferris State University

Abstract
The end of life experience is universal; the behaviors associated with grief
are motivated by cultural traditions, religion and beliefs (Carteret, 2011).
Elderly members in our community have had an opportunity to see changes
over their lifespan. The purpose of this paper is to interview an elderly
member of the community, to capture changes in rituals they have
experienced over their lifespan and identify rituals they feel are a source of
comfort and healing associated with death and dying.

Rituals Interview
For the rituals interview, I choose an 87 year old African American
woman who grew up in Oxford, Mississippi .She is widowed, has six children,
nineteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren I choose her because
she is a member of my church who I respect .She is a wonderful lady, who is
well respected as a leader in the community and the church. In her
community she serves as a volunteer and at church she serves as a Mother
of her church. She has always used her natural talents and beautiful spirit to
serve and give to her church and community. She is an inspiration to young
married couples and has always been willing to encourage our youth. She

RITUALS INTERVIEW

has had many jobs over the years and started working at age 11 as a
housekeeper .She retired as a nurses aide from a local nursing home after
working there for over 25 years. On a wintery afternoon in January, I picked
her up at her senior apartment and we had a lovely lunch.
Changes in Rituals
Over the years, there have been few changes in rituals she has
practiced. Changes that she has had are based on experience with those who
have passed away and the wishes that they may have had for services. As
an African American female rituals that she has practiced have been related
to her faith and culture .Those rituals have been taught and passed down
through generations. Rituals that she has practiced are: A wake prior to
funeral service, the wearing of black at a funeral and creating a life of
celebration and not sorrow. She talks about death as being a time of
remembering or reminiscing the past and how it can be very therapeutic.
Other changes that she can remember are that she has acquired through the
passing of her husband. This has triggered a realization that her rituals can
and have changed over her lifespan. She now knows what things are
important to her and realizes that everyone has their own beliefs. She
explains that although rituals are important, gaining the understanding of
what the afterlife means to you has greater purpose and the way she lives
her life today dictates where she will be in the future, her goal remains the
same to be in heaven, to see all of those she loves free of pain and suffering.

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4
Analysis of Rituals

Rituals serve as a connection to our past and help shape the future as
many rituals are handed down from generations. According to an article in
generations journal, (2011), Rituals help people understand who they are,
their relationships, and the context in which they live. Rituals give meaning
to significance; they also connect people through shared sentiment and
serve as symbols for meaningful social ties (Briller & Sankar, 2011 p.6.) For
older adults, rituals create a familiar and comfortable practice that follows
them through lifes changes. From a personal experience, faith and
spirituality are a direct link to rituals practiced in the African American
community. Rituals also allow the elderly to find links between their shared
beliefs and values and specific historical events (pg. 10). In the time of death
most people go with tradition as it relates to funerals and do not usually look
for new alternatives to replace a standard funeral service but as technologies
and economic changes many families are faced with in the world around us,
peoples rituals also change .

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5
Recommendations

My client expresses that her recommendation for rituals that are a

source for comfort and healing during the bereavement period are simple,
Keeping God first, to pray daily and frequently. She expressed that faith is
all she has and she believes that there is a higher God and a better place.
She recommends that we all go back to our roots and take something from
other generations that are a source of comfort for you. Dont be afraid to
start your own rituals only you know what is important to you. She states, I
find comfort in knowing that I will see my loved ones again if I vow to follow
and wait on the Lord.

Conclusion/Summary
The interview was wonderful! Both I and my client showed signs of
nervousness at first but we quickly relaxed and talked very openly. At our
lunch we talked for over 2 hours. I already had a connection with my client
but afterward, I sensed a closer bond .She was somewhat uncomfortable at
times wondering why I choose her, I gladly replied, You were the first person
that came to me when I found out I had to do an interview. At the end of the
interview she shared her wishes for her end of life care with me as she
explained that she is troubled by the lack of family support she has during
this time in her life. I explained to her the 5 wishes booklet that she could
obtain through her primary care physician, advised that she have a family
member go through it with her. I offered my help to complete it and

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encouraged her to call her family and let them know what her wishes are for
the future. This interview has made me realize the value of considering
ritualized behaviors that elderly persons may possess and the effect it has
over their lifespan.

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References

Briller, S & Sankar, A. (2011). The Changing Roles of Rituals in Later Life.
Generations, 35(3), 6-10.
Carteret, M.M (2011) Cultural Aspects of Death and Dying. Retrieved from:
http://www.dimentionsofculture.com2010/11/cultural-aspects-of-deathand-dying/.

Clements,P.,Vigil., Manno, M.,Henry,G.Wilks,J.,Das,S, & Foster,W.

(2003).Cultural perspectives of death, grief and bereavement. Journal
of Psychological Nursing& Mental Health Services, 41(7), 18.
Ferrel, R.R and Coyle, N (2010). Textbook of Palliative Nursing (3rd ed.). New
York, N.Y. Oxford University Press.