How can music help us deal with death?
Instru(mental)Music and Dying
How does music help us deal with death? This episode covers research that gives us insights into how music can lessen death anxiety and then discusses three ways that music is used in hospice care to support individuals at the end of life. Takeaways include resources like the Five Wishes document and ideas for how to start important conversations with your loved ones about death.
For more information on the research articles and music in this episode, go to www.InstrumentalPodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter (@instrumentalpod) for news and updates!
Research:
Bodner, E., & Gilboa, A. (2009). On the power of music to affect intergroup relations. Musicae Scientiae, 23(1), 85–115.
Cardany, A. B. (2018). Mitigating death anxiety: Identifying music’s role in terror management. Psychology of Music, 46(1), 3-17.
Freeman, L., Caserta, M., Lund, D., Rossa, S., Dowdy, A., Partenheimer, A. (2006). Music thanatology: Prescriptive harp music as palliative care for the dying patient. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 23(2), 100-104.
Kneer, J., & Rieger, D. (2015). The memory remains: How heavy metal fans buffer against the fear of death. Psychology of Popular Media Culture. Advance online publication. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000072
Krout, R. E. (2001). The effects of single-session music therapy interventions on the observed and self-reported levels of pain control, physical comfort, and relaxation of hospice patients. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 18(6), 383-390.
Music:
Dead by Dawn (Showbread)
A Rainy Afternoon, (Pittsburgh Threshold Choir)
A Fairy’s Love Song (Harp Solo), (Medieval Renaissance Music Ensemble)
Instru(mental)’s Intro Music (Daniel Goldschmidt)
Other Resources:
Ask a Mortician YouTube Channel (Caitlin Doughty)
Five Wishes Advance Care Planning