The Modern 'Oral Tradition' of Books and Films

The first printing press was invented around 1440 — before then, books were copied by hand.  Even after the press became popular, books were very expensive, and not generally available to the middle or lower classes (except for perhaps the Bible — one of the first books to be extensively printed).     The first film may have been produced in 1878, but movies did not become a significant element of our cultural life until the early 20th century.

Before these forms of communication — in fact for the whole of our species' history — we relied on the 'oral tradition'.    Whether spiritual readings, wisdom teachings, fairy or folk tales, these stories disseminated information, opened minds to new ideas, and touched hearts to develop a deeper compassion for others (both like, and un-like themselves).   The modern book and film industry (and now the Internet) has taken over much of the role of the 'oral tradition', and now provides the necessary mind-and-heart stretching to continue to evolve — expanding beyond cultural norms, and testing new & healthier horizons and approaches to life.   We believe that the listed books and films below have considerably changed our culture's attitudes towards death, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.    Therefore, they are a significant element of the death education that CINDEA is committed to.

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Acknowledgements

Books

Feature Films and Documentaries

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The Listings and their Arrangement

We continue to look for new listings on dying/death & bereavement issues (books and films/videos/etc.) — especially material written and/or published by Canadians.   If you have a listing, or notice a mis-listing in our sections, please contact us.

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SECTION I — Books on Death and Dying for Adults

A. Books on Dying and Death for Adults by Canadians

		A Gentle Death, by Marilynne Sequin R.N.: Key Porter Books Limited, 1994
		Befriending Death: Henri Nouwen and a Spirituality of Dying, by Michelle O'Rourke: Orbis Books, 2009
		Choices: For People Who Have a Terminal Illness, Their Families and Their Caregivers, by Harry Van Bommel: N.C. Press, 1990
		Die Wise - A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, by Stephen Jenkenson
		Embracing the End of Life: Help for Those Who Accompany the Dying, by Michelle O'Rourke and Eugene Dufour: Novalis/Bayard, 2012
		Facing Death, Embracing Life: Understanding What Dying People Want, by David Kuhl, M.D. : 2006
		Graceful Endings: Navigating the Journey of Loss and Grief, by Linda Kavelin-Popov (Victoria Hospice Spiritual Care manager): Virtues Project International, 2012
		In the Slender Margin, by Eve Joseph: Harper Collins, 2014
		Last Touch: Preparing for a Parent's Death, by Marilyn Becker: New Harbinger Press, 1992
		Let Me Decide, by William Molloy (M.D): Penguin Canada, 2005 (there may be an updated version)
		Living Will, Living Well — Reflections on Preparing an Advance Directive, by M. Dianne Godkin: University of Alberta Press, 2008
		Loving Your Baby: A Gentle and Practical Guide on Parenting Through Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death, by Shari Morash: 2016 www.lovingyourbaby.ca
		Spirituality in Hospice Palliative Care, by Paul Bramadat, Harold Coward, and Kelli I. Stajduhar: SunyPress, 2013
		Transitions in Dying and Bereavement — A Psychosocial Guide for Hospice and Palliative Care, by Moira Cairns, Marney Thompson, and Wendy Wainwright: Victoria Hospice Society, 2003
		What Dying People want: Practical Wisdom for the End of Life, by David Kuhl, M.D. : 2002
		When Death Speaks: Listen, Learn, and Love, by Stephen Lloyd Garrett: FriesenPress, 2013

B. Books on Dying and Death for Adults by non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Books page)

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SECTION II — Books on Bereavement for Adults

A. Books on Bereavement for Adults by Canadians

		Catching Your Breath in Grief:...and grace will lead you home, by Thomas Attig: Breath of Life Publishing, 2012
		Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life (death and other losses), edited by Darcy L. Harris: Routledge, 2010 — many, but not all, of the contributors are Canadian
		Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Pregnancy after Loss, by Alexis Marie Chute: She Writes Press, coming in April 2017
		The Heart of Grief: Death and the Search for Lasting Love, by Thomas Attig: Oxford University Press, 1996
		How We Grieve: Relearning the World, by Thomas Attig: Oxford University Press, 1996
		Last Touch: Preparing For A Parent's Death, by Marilyn Becker: New Harbinger Publications, 1992

B. Books on Bereavement for Adults by non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Books page)

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SECTION III — Books on Death and Bereavement for Children

A. Fiction Books on Death and Bereavement for Children by Canadians

		Alego, by Ningeokuluk Teevee (Groundwood Books)
		Feast of Lights (Hanukkah and mourning story), by Ellen S. Jaffe (Sumach Press, Toronto)
		Grandma's Gloves, by Cecil Castellucci
		Grandpa's Clock, by Rachna Gilmore
		I Found a Dead Bird, by Jan Thornhill
		The Lighthouse, by Robert Munsch
		The Little Word Catcher, by Danielle Simard
		Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch
		Mile High Apple Pie, by Laura Langston
		Nicolas, by Quebecois cartoonist Pascal Girard
		Northern Lights, by Michael Kusugak
		Oma's Quilt, by Paulette Bourgeois
		Once a Wizard, by Curtis L. Wiebe
		Out of the Storm: A Therapeutic Activity Book for Kids who have Lost a Sibling, by Joanne Marks
		Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt, by Barbara Smucker
		A Trip with Grandma, by Ruth Ohi

B. Fiction Books on Death and Bereavement for Children by non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Books page)

C. Non-fiction books on Death and Bereavement for Children and Teens by non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Books page)

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Section IV — Feature Films on Death for Adults

A. Feature Films on Death for Adults by Canadians

		Across Generations (two stories), 1996, animator Co Hoedeman.   "Charles and François" — grandfather and grandson, through their lives, become almost the same.   "The Street" — how families respond to their old and infirm members; National Film Board
		The Barbarian Invasions, 2003 (French version: Les Invasions barbares), directed by Denys Arcand (sequel to The Decline of the American Empire, and followed by Days of Darkness) — French Canadian; Wikipedia article
		Away from Her, 2006, directed by Sarah Polley — excellent movie on Alzheimer's: Wikipedia article

B. Feature Films on Death for Adults by non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Films page)

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Section V — Documentaries on Death for Adults

A. Documentaries for Adults by Canadians

		Bearing Witness: Jocelyn Morton, Luke Melchior, and Robert Coley-Donohue, 2003, directed by Dan Curtis — three people face death, in different ways, with different illnesses; National Film Boad of Canada
		Caregivers (four stories), directed by Dan Curtis — short documentaries about the lives of caregivers; National Film Board of Canada
		Discussions in Bioethics (8 stories) — shorts by different directors, all addresing ethical questions around death; National Film Board of Canada
		Dying at Grace, 2003, directed by Allan King — docudrama about five real people in their final days at a Palliative Care Unit; see TVO
		Endnotes — A Model for Palliative Care, by Beitel/Lazar Productions, Inc. (in co-production with CBC) — filmed on site at the Royal Victoria Hospital, exploring the model of compassionate palliative care; Filmakers Library
		Euthanasia, 1990, produced by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (primarily shot in Holland by Canadians) — ethical questions on euthanasia and 'right to die'; Filmakers Library
		Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Pregnancy after Loss,by Alexis Marie Chute; coming in 2017, trailer, crowd funding to complete the film — creatively delving into mourning and rediscovering life and hope after loss of a child
		Let Me Die, 2000, directed by Lina B. Moreco — it is not just a question of length of life but of quality of life; when death is imminent, euthanasia accompanied by pain control is not a choice between life and death but a choice between different ways of dying; National Film Board of Canada
		Living with Dying, 1991 directed by Reevan Dolgoy — social, psychological and spiritual support in order to remain at home; National Film Board of Canada
		On Wings Of Song — Music Therapy at The End of Life, 2000, directed by Garry Beitel, produced by Beitel/Lazar Productions Inc. — following the work of a music therapist in the palliative care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital; Filmakers Library

B. Documentaries for Adults by non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Films page)

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Section VI — Movies and Documentaries for Children

A. Movies and Documentaries for Children by Canadians

		Children Speak, 1996, directed by Bozenna Heczko — animated film about children's beliefs about birth, death and the supernatural; National Film Board
		The Circus, 2011, directed by Nicolas Brault — a child faces his mother's death; National Film Board of Canada

B. Movies and Documentaries for Children by Non-Canadians
(link goes to a separate Films page)

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