The Tragic Death of Nex Benedict
Nex Benedict
Credit: Kasandra Phelps via GoFundMe
Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary Indigenous student from Owasso, Oklahoma, died on February 8th, 2024, just a day after they were assaulted in a school bathroom. Although the medical examiner’s preliminary report found that their death was likely the result of a lethal combination of two medications and not the injuries sustained in the attack, questions remain about the accuracy of the initial incident report.
“Anxiety and Hope in Japanese Art,” on Display at the Met
“Death of the Historical Buddha”
Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Anxiety and Hope in Japanese Art,” the exhibit currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a unique look at how Japanese art has intertwined grief and suffering with ideas about rebirth. Combining sacred objects from early Japan, medieval painted scrolls, modern woodblock prints, and garments, the exhibit covers a wide range of ways that Japanese artists have responded to Buddhist conceptions of death. The pain of pain and the suffering caused by grief is fully shown in images such as “Death of the Historical Buddha,” in which followers, priests and animals are all shown weeping after the death of the Buddha. Yet the initiated know that the death of the Buddha is not the end, but rather a release from suffering, and some of his wise followers mimic the peaceful expression on Buddha’s face.
A Good Attitude Might Just be the Key to a Longer Life
Credit: Avelino Calvar Martinez / Burst
Most people want a longer life. They take supplements, herbs, and engage in special workout routines and diets, but what if it were much more simple? What if you could extend your life simply by having a good attitude?
“Many Rivers to Cross” by Jimmy Cliff
“Many Rivers to Cross” was released on Cliff’s self-titled album in 1969.
Courtesy: jimmycliff.com
The grandfather of reggae singer Jimmy Cliff wrote “Many Rivers To Cross” at the mere age of 21, and to this day, it is still considered one of the most soulful songs of his decades-long career. The heartbreaking lyrics relay much despair and oppression, ultimately giving rise to hope. It is a fitting melody to soothe the spirit for those grieving a loss. Continue reading
What Can Menopause in Whales Teach Us About Aging?
Menopause in whales can teach us about the benefits of grandmothers.
Menopause has rarely been shown to occur in animals outside the human species – including toothed whales and wild chimpanzees. A new study, published in the journal Nature, suggests that menopause in toothed whales boosts intergenerational help, meaning grandmothers have an ability to care for their offspring’s children without creating competition – and that the same might be true for humans.
Dealing With the Hidden Stress of Being a Funeral Director
Kim Zavrotny, U.S. Director of Funeral Professionals Peer Support
Kim Zavrotny has seen a lot of changes in the funeral business in her 32-year career, some of which have made the work more challenging. She’s currently a Senior Funeral Director with McComas Family Funeral Homes in Abingdon, Maryland, a mid-sized business handling around 800 funerals a year. She’s also the U.S. Director of Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS), a non-profit established to help funeral professionals cope with the behind-the-scenes stress of serving others in their time of grief.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and readability.
Hospice Nurse Breaks the Internet with the ‘Death Rattle’: 
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