Final answer:
In Thailand, cultural traditions dictate that when people are close to death, they engage in rituals like libations to ensure a peaceful transition. Bad deaths are met with rushed funerals to prevent spirit disturbances. The process of facing mortality may involve various psychological stages and personal experiences, influenced by broader cultural attitudes towards death.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Thailand, when people are close to death, there are cultural beliefs and rituals that guide their practices. According to traditional customs, helping the dying person by carrying out certain rites, such as libations or rituals, is common to ensure a peaceful transition.
A rushed and minimal funeral is conducted when someone has had a 'bad death' to avoid contact with an agitated spirit. The Thai belief system includes the presence of spirit houses, which are intended to provide shelter for spirits and keep them pleased, preventing them from causing harm to the living.
These practices reflect the deep cultural values of Thai society regarding death and the afterlife. Psychologically, individuals go through various stages when confronted with their mortality, starting with denial and potentially leading to acceptance, as Kübler-Ross's model outlines. Gloria's near-death experience further illustrates the profound personal encounters that can occur on the threshold between life and death.
Cultural perceptions of death inform how individuals and communities approach the end of life. Whether it is through private rites for unhappy spirits or belief in the continuation of the soul in some form, these practices underscore the importance of dignified farewells according to cultural norms and traditions.