Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.
Psalm 23.4
"To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late "
Baron Macauley (Horatius)
Although this chapter on bereavement naturally follows the one concerning the older folk, we know that any member of the family can be taken, whether by old age, illness or accident, and when it happens it becomes a traumatic family experience.
I was once invited to take part in a sixth-formers' Grammar School Conference on the subject of Death. The title was 'DEATH - THE GREAT TABOO'. The taboo being a reference to the fact that present-day society does not like to talk about it.
There were about 150 boys and girls present, and they heard talks from a theologian who spoke about the nature of the life to come; a doctor who analysed attitudes to death by people of different age-groups; a policeman whose duties included the informing of relatives of sudden deaths, and an undertaker who regarded his work as a ministry to the mourners.