The death of Death Literacy: A study on awareness of Death Literacy among Gen Z in Hyderabad, Telangana

Abstract

Through this paper the researcher has made a relentless effort to explore the variables of Death Literacy and also to study about the awareness of Death Literacy among Gen Z in Hyderabad. Lancet Commission’s (2022) - ‘Value of Death’ observations and recommendations are taken into account to design the framework for this study. Questionnaire is designed based on the Death Literacy Index (DLI). Practical knowledge, Experiential knowledge, Factual knowledge and   Community knowledge are the four dimensions used to gauge the Death Literacy among the Gen Z in Hyderabad. Initially the researcher floated the questionnaire  using snowball technique among various student groups, but there were no responses. Then the researcher had to adopt the focused group approach, try to explain the purpose of the research and motivate the group members to participate in the data collection. There were many groups who did not show any interest in this survey and they even demotivated the other participants. Data collection was one the major challenges in this study. However, the researcher was able to secure responses from 128 respondents. The results showed a very low score on Death Literacy Index (DLI).  This calls for various interventions to improve the DLI. This is a pilot study with a primary objective to understand the awareness of Death Literacy. The future study will be focused on reasons for low DL, exploring the interventions to improve the DL, implementations of these interventions and the challenges to implement the interventions. A parallel study is also recommended on the role of family, community and educational institutions in improving the DLI.