When Someone Dies

Before you press play

Gentle material. Let people pass on any question, and leave a minute of quiet after the last voice before anyone talks.

Play it on a laptop or TV with the screen on, since most voices are short videos. Each neighbor is introduced by a short card. You can pause after any voice to talk.

Content notes. A Catholic priest: About a friend who died on September 11, 2001. A Latter-day Saint mother grieving her son: A child's death.

Who you'll hear

1. A Jewish librarian remembering her father's shiva. Walking the soul around the block · Yiddish Book Center, Wexler Oral History Project · 1 min
2. A Catholic priest. My friend, the firefighters' chaplain · StoryCorps · 5 min
3. A father living with Alzheimer's. A wonderful life, with Alzheimer's · StoryCorps · 3 min
4. A Latter-day Saint mother grieving her son. It's okay to not be okay · LDS Living · 3 min
5. A Japanese American Buddhist remembering her father's temple. Dancing in the street on 94th · American Buddhist Study Center · 4 min

The order rotates between plays, so no tradition always goes first.

Talk about it

1. Which custom stayed with you, and why?
2. Several neighbors describe something their family did that others had never heard of. Does your family have a custom like that?
3. What actually helped you, or someone you know, when you were grieving?
4. Who do you know who's grieving right now? What's one small thing you could do this week?

Let anyone pass. Listening is the point.

Try it this week

What do you believe happens after death? Have you ever told someone you love what you believe, and asked them what they believe?

Read more: What happens when we die? What do different faiths teach? · neighborradio.com/ask/what-happens-when-we-die-different-faiths/