death and vulures

From “Daniel Boone - A Biography” by Robert Morgan

Here is Morgan’s description of death and dying in Western culture in the past which I found both touching and thought-provoking:
In the nineteenth century people talked about a ‘beautiful death.’ It was as though one's death was a work of art, something to be crafted, an achievement. Deaths were described and critiqued, commented on, compared to others’, and admired. A beautiful death was one's final accomplishment.

Before the age of retirement homes, hospitals and nursing homes, the old died at home...children and grandchildren, friends and cousins gathered around in a death vigil.... the old felt death coming on, and recognized it....perhaps even welcomed it. People gathered in the bedroom and said their farewells, and the one dying had his or her final say. There were kisses and hugs and sharing of memories. Quarrels and grudges were resolved, grievances aired, forgiveness offered and received. Final requests were made. There were prayers and hymn singing. The person passing might describe the sensations of dying, the gathering of stillness and ease, the feeling of weightlessness and coolness....sometimes they heard music or saw a light in the form of an angel. Sometimes family members saw a dove or other bird perch at a window...

In 1817, aged 73, American pioneer Daniel Boone ordered a coffin of cherry wood, which was prepared and placed under his bed...The cherry coffin was a handsome piece of work, and the old man took pleasure in showing it off...from time to time Boone would take it out to admire and study...he would ‘rub and polish it up, and cooly whistle while doing so’ .... he would lie down in the coffin to show how well it fitted him, and sometimes he would take a nap in it, scaring the children. His coffin was the finest that could be had, and he was determined to enjoy his treasure and to be seen enjoying it.

No doubt Boone took comfort in making death so familiar. He had witnessed the often-violent passing of many compatriots and family members. The box he would later rest in was right here now, and he could dust it and rub it with oil. His hands had never been idle, and he was a fine craftsman - having made and repaired many functional items on the frontier, as well as carving and decorating beautiful powder horns for his grandchildren. Daniel Boone was a consummate craftsman, and as such he was determined to make his last days a work of art.

In modern times most people die in hospitals or hospices, often far from family and home. Usually the old have been isolated for years in nursing homes and hospitals, in a cold and sterilized world run by professionals. Death in western society is hidden away...

Sadly today we are too distracted [read ‘screwed’] by the persistent and invasive commercial demands of Apple/Google/instagram/facebook/Samsung/Twitter to be able to give any thought to living an adventuresome and meaningful life on our own terms.
Meanwhile, we are quietly being groomed for entry to the retirement farms by the vultures who run the nursing homes - where we will be denied the opportunity of dying in such a personal, conscious, and dignified fashion as this old-timer.