Abstract

Belief in some kind of life after death is a widespread feature of human cultures. Attitudes to death and dying in western culture are increasingly varied and variable. Death is often still a taboo subject in conversation. There is some evidence that, despite some decline, belief in some kind of post-mortem existence is resilient. The decline in belief is most notable in terms of ‘hell,’ but belief in life after death is also becoming more diverse. Holland's poem suggests that death might be less of a threat than is sometimes the perception. Death is seen by him, stared out, embraced even, certainly walked steadily toward. What does the believing community actually believe about death and beyond?