A Beautiful Death. Questions About Dying Between Doctor & Patient

This film was made in 1970 and the storyteller is Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist and author who is best known for her work on the psychology of dying, particularly the five stages of grief. Her seminal work, “On Death and Dying“ (published in 1969), introduced the concept of the five stages, which are commonly referred to as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (DABDA). Kübler-Ross was a faculty member at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine and this film was recorded at Cook County Hospital. Her research included a variety of settings, from hospitals to interviews and seminars as she sought to deepen the medical community’s understanding of death and dying. Kübler-Ross’s work was interdisciplinary, impacting not only psychiatry and medicine but also nursing, social work, chaplaincy, and other fields that deal with end-of-life care. Despite some criticisms, her contributions have had a lasting impact on how medical professionals and the general public approach the topics of death and dying. Disturbed by the treatment and isolation of dying patients in the medical community, Kübler-Ross focused on research that would help professionals and family members better understand and support individuals who were facing terminal illnesses. Through a series of interviews with patients and observations, she developed her theory on the emotional stages that people typically undergo when facing death. Her work has been influential in various fields such as medicine, psychology, and pastoral care, and it has helped to change attitudes toward care of the terminally ill. However, it should be noted that the five-stage model has also received criticism for not being universally applicable or empirically supported in every situation. Despite the criticisms, her work has had a lasting impact and is often cited or used as a starting point for discussions about death, dying, and grief. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s model of the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—has been immensely influential but is not without its critics. Here are the main points of disagreement or concern: Empirical Support: While the five-stage model was based on Kübler-Ross’s observations and interviews, it was not rigorously tested through scientific methods like randomized controlled trials or longitudinal studies. Some critics argue that the model lacks empirical evidence to support its claims. Universality: The model was initially developed by observing people who were dying, but it has since been applied more broadly to various kinds of grief and loss. Critics have questioned whether the stages are universal, as not everyone who experiences loss or grief reports going through these specific stages or in the sequence presented. Cultural factors may also influence how individuals experience and express grief. Sequential Nature: The model suggests a certain order to the stages, which some people interpret as a “correct“ way to grieve. However, research in psychology and medicine shows that grief often does not follow a linear or predictable pattern. Some people may skip stages, experience them in a different order, or cycle through stages more than once. Complexity and Variability: Grief is a complex emotional process that varies widely among individuals. Some critics argue that presenting it in a five-stage model oversimplifies the experience. There may be additional emotional states that are not captured by the five stages, and some individuals may never experience some of the stages at all. Medicalization: Some experts worry that the model can lead to the “medicalization“ of a normal emotional process. For example, if someone doesn’t proceed through the stages as outlined, they might be viewed as “stuck“ and in need of medical or psychological intervention, which may not necessarily be the case. Despite the criticisms, I found Kubler Ross’s model helpful in understanding my family’s dying experiences. It has also been used in clinical settings, grief counseling, and educational contexts and has contributed to greater societal awareness of the emotional aspects of dying and grief. If you found this video helpful I ask you to support my efforts to present videos like this on my channel. You can click the Thanks button below the video screen or become a patron at I thank you. David Hoffman Filmmaker