Ars Moriendi: An Overview of Approaches to the Art of Dying, Grief and Loss for Nurses Working in Mental Health

Abstract

This historical discussion paper is an overview for nurses working in mental health of medieval and Early Modern texts known as Ars Moriendi literature, which focuses on the art of dying, grief and loss. Primary and secondary historical documents are used to describe Ars Moriendi literature and how historical understandings of death and dying were shaped within a spiritual context. Ars Moriendi concepts are compared with modern Western secularised and medicalised notions to prompt reflection on historical versus modern approaches to dying, grief and loss.

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Notes

1 Usually defined as being from approximately the mid-15^th century through to the 17^th and 18^th centuries.