How do you feel about death, your own, other peoples, in general?

[Aion]

Do it, it's a beautiful position of service to be in.

Death is grossly misunderstood and to be sure most people are fearful of the DYING rather than the death itself. Nobody wants a painful death. (Well, that's probably not true either.)

The only way to face that fear is to meet it face to face. Death has always been part of my life, I was there when my Opa passed as a child and I remember looking at him in his bed and feeling his spirit pass through me. Since then I have experienced many deaths, including someone I was doing Reiki work with (he had liver cancer). Last year I helped to bury a friend of mine who was hit by a train with my own hands. I helped carry the casket and to fill the grave. It is never easy and it's not supposed to be. Grieving is actually an important part of accepting death. It's good and healthy.

If you feel called to this, it is a rare calling and something only the most compassionate of hearts is suited for. I think you would do well. A lot of people in their old age want and need nothing more but some care, some sharing and to not feel forgotten. I do Reiki work with my Oma and she always talks about how when she passes all she hopes for is that she'll see us all again on the other side. I assure her she will. When people are at that age they need comforting to making the journey. It is a very honourable path to take and it is something I respect highly.

Respect for the dead is one of those things for me which reveals the shape of one's character.

I hope that in time the fear surrounding death itself will be alleviated but I feel like that won't really happen until it is no longer characterized by violence and morbidity.