\documentclass[10pt,a4paper]{article}

% Packages
\usepackage{fancyhdr}           % For header and footer
\usepackage{multicol}           % Allows multicols in tables
\usepackage{tabularx}           % Intelligent column widths
\usepackage{tabulary}           % Used in header and footer
\usepackage{hhline}             % Border under tables
\usepackage{graphicx}           % For images
\usepackage{xcolor}             % For hex colours
%\usepackage[utf8x]{inputenc}    % For unicode character support
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}        % Without this we get weird character replacements
\usepackage{colortbl}           % For coloured tables
\usepackage{setspace}           % For line height
\usepackage{lastpage}           % Needed for total page number
\usepackage{seqsplit}           % Splits long words.
%\usepackage{opensans}          % Can't make this work so far. Shame. Would be lovely.
\usepackage[normalem]{ulem}     % For underlining links
% Most of the following are not required for the majority
% of cheat sheets but are needed for some symbol support.
\usepackage{amsmath}            % Symbols
\usepackage{MnSymbol}           % Symbols
\usepackage{wasysym}            % Symbols
%\usepackage[english,german,french,spanish,italian]{babel}              % Languages

% Document Info
\author{RainyMoons (RainyMoons)}
\pdfinfo{
  /Title (death-religion-and-culture.pdf)
  /Creator (Cheatography)
  /Author (RainyMoons (RainyMoons))
  /Subject (Death, Religion, and Culture Cheat Sheet)
}

% Lengths and widths
\addtolength{\textwidth}{6cm}
\addtolength{\textheight}{-1cm}
\addtolength{\hoffset}{-3cm}
\addtolength{\voffset}{-2cm}
\setlength{\tabcolsep}{0.2cm} % Space between columns
\setlength{\headsep}{-12pt} % Reduce space between header and content
\setlength{\headheight}{85pt} % If less, LaTeX automatically increases it
\renewcommand{\footrulewidth}{0pt} % Remove footer line
\renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0pt} % Remove header line
\renewcommand{\seqinsert}{\ifmmode\allowbreak\else\-\fi} % Hyphens in seqsplit
% This two commands together give roughly
% the right line height in the tables
\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.3}
\onehalfspacing

% Commands
\newcommand{\SetRowColor}[1]{\noalign{\gdef\RowColorName{#1}}\rowcolor{\RowColorName}} % Shortcut for row colour
\newcommand{\mymulticolumn}[3]{\multicolumn{#1}{>{\columncolor{\RowColorName}}#2}{#3}} % For coloured multi-cols
\newcolumntype{x}[1]{>{\raggedright}p{#1}} % New column types for ragged-right paragraph columns
\newcommand{\tn}{\tabularnewline} % Required as custom column type in use

% Font and Colours
\definecolor{HeadBackground}{HTML}{333333}
\definecolor{FootBackground}{HTML}{666666}
\definecolor{TextColor}{HTML}{333333}
\definecolor{DarkBackground}{HTML}{5E0000}
\definecolor{LightBackground}{HTML}{F9F7F7}
\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
\color{TextColor}

% Header and Footer
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhead{} % Set header to blank
\fancyfoot{} % Set footer to blank
\fancyhead[L]{
\noindent
\begin{multicols}{3}
\begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{C}
    \SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
    \vspace{-7pt}
    {\parbox{\dimexpr\textwidth-2\fboxsep\relax}{\noindent
        \hspace*{-6pt}\includegraphics[width=5.8cm]{/web/www.cheatography.com/public/images/cheatography_logo.pdf}}
    }
\end{tabulary}
\columnbreak
\begin{tabulary}{11cm}{L}
    \vspace{-2pt}\large{\bf{\textcolor{DarkBackground}{\textrm{Death, Religion, and Culture Cheat Sheet}}}} \\
    \normalsize{by \textcolor{DarkBackground}{RainyMoons (RainyMoons)} via \textcolor{DarkBackground}{\uline{cheatography.com/153402/cs/44275/}}}
\end{tabulary}
\end{multicols}}

\fancyfoot[L]{ \footnotesize
\noindent
\begin{multicols}{3}
\begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{LL}
  \SetRowColor{FootBackground}
  \mymulticolumn{2}{p{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cheatographer}}  \\
  \vspace{-2pt}RainyMoons (RainyMoons) \\
  \uline{cheatography.com/rainymoons} \\
  \end{tabulary}
\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{L}
  \SetRowColor{FootBackground}
  \mymulticolumn{1}{p{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cheat Sheet}}  \\
   \vspace{-2pt}Not Yet Published.\\
   Updated 31st August, 2024.\\
   Page {\thepage} of \pageref{LastPage}.
\end{tabulary}
\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{L}
  \SetRowColor{FootBackground}
  \mymulticolumn{1}{p{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Sponsor}}  \\
  \SetRowColor{white}
  \vspace{-5pt}
  %\includegraphics[width=48px,height=48px]{dave.jpeg}
  Measure your website readability!\\
  www.readability-score.com
\end{tabulary}
\end{multicols}}




\begin{document}
\raggedright
\raggedcolumns

% Set font size to small. Switch to any value
% from this page to resize cheat sheet text:
% www.emerson.emory.edu/services/latex/latex_169.html
\footnotesize % Small font.

\begin{multicols*}{3}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.09034 cm} x{2.88666 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Overview}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Overview:}} & The intersection of death, religion, and culture examines how different societies understand and respond to death. This study includes rituals, beliefs, practices, and the symbolic meanings associated with death. \tn 
% Row Count 10 (+ 10)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Scope:}} & Understanding these concepts provides insight into how various cultures cope with mortality, express grief, and maintain social cohesion. It also reveals the ways in which religion and culture shape attitudes towards death and the afterlife. \tn 
% Row Count 21 (+ 11)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Interdisciplinary Nature:}} & This field intersects with anthropology, sociology, psychology, theology, and cultural studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the human experience of mortality. \tn 
% Row Count 29 (+ 8)
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Historical Background:}} & The human concern with death has been central to the development of religions and cultural practices throughout history. Ancient burial practices, mythologies, and religious rituals all reflect the importance of death in shaping human culture. \tn 
% Row Count 40 (+ 11)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{1.89126 cm} x{3.08574 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death in Different Religious Traditions}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Christianity:}} & {\bf{Beliefs:}} Christians typically believe in an afterlife where the soul goes to heaven or hell based on one's faith and actions. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central, symbolizing victory over death. \tn 
% Row Count 9 (+ 9)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rituals:}} Common practices include funerals with prayers, hymns, and burial rites. The Eucharist may be part of the ceremony. Mourning practices can vary by denomination but often involve periods of remembrance and memorial services. \tn 
% Row Count 19 (+ 10)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Islam:}} & {\bf{Beliefs:}} Muslims believe in life after death, where souls are judged and sent to either paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam). The concept of Qiyamah (Day of Judgment) is central. \tn 
% Row Count 27 (+ 8)
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rituals:}} Islamic funerals involve washing the body (Ghusl), wrapping it in a shroud (Kafan), and burying it facing Mecca. Prayers (Salat al-Janazah) are performed, and mourning is usually observed for three days. \tn 
% Row Count 36 (+ 9)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{1.89126 cm} x{3.08574 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death in Different Religious Traditions (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Hinduism:}} & {\bf{Beliefs:}} Hindus believe in reincarnation, where the soul is reborn in a new body. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Samsara) continues until one achieves Moksha (liberation). \tn 
% Row Count 8 (+ 8)
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rituals:}} The dead are usually cremated, as fire is believed to purify the soul. Ashes are often scattered in a sacred river, like the Ganges. Mourning practices include rituals to help the soul transition and annual remembrance ceremonies. \tn 
% Row Count 19 (+ 11)
% Row 6
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Buddhism:}} & {\bf{Beliefs:}} Buddhists believe in reincarnation and the pursuit of Nirvana, a state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Death is viewed as a transition rather than an end. \tn 
% Row Count 27 (+ 8)
% Row 7
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rituals:}} Funeral practices vary but often include chanting, meditation, and offerings to help the deceased in their journey. Monks may be involved in ceremonies, and the body may be cremated or buried. \tn 
% Row Count 36 (+ 9)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{1.89126 cm} x{3.08574 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death in Different Religious Traditions (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 8
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Judaism:}} & {\bf{Beliefs:}} Jewish beliefs about the afterlife vary, but there is often an emphasis on the immortality of the soul and the eventual resurrection of the dead. \tn 
% Row Count 7 (+ 7)
% Row 9
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rituals:}} Jewish funerals are simple, involving burial as soon as possible after death. The body is washed (Tahara) and placed in a plain wooden coffin. Mourning practices include Shiva, a seven-day period of intense mourning. \tn 
% Row Count 17 (+ 10)
% Row 10
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Indigenous Religions:}} & {\bf{Beliefs:}} Many indigenous cultures view death as a natural part of life, with the spirit often continuing to exist in a different form or place. Ancestor worship and the belief in a spirit world are common. \tn 
% Row Count 26 (+ 9)
% Row 11
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rituals:}} Rituals vary widely but often include community gatherings, offerings, and ceremonies to honor the deceased and ensure their safe passage to the afterlife. \tn 
% Row Count 33 (+ 7)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.04057 cm} x{2.93643 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cultural Perspectives on Death}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Western Cultures:}} & Often characterized by a more secular approach to death, with a focus on individualism. Death is sometimes viewed with fear or discomfort, leading to its marginalization in everyday life. Mourning practices may include funerals, memorial services, and wakes, with increasing interest in personalized and non-religious ceremonies. \tn 
% Row Count 15 (+ 15)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Eastern Cultures:}} & Tend to integrate death more closely into daily life, often influenced by religious and philosophical traditions like Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. There is often a greater acceptance of death as a part of the natural cycle of life. Practices may include ancestor worship, elaborate funeral rites, and ongoing rituals to honor the dead. \tn 
% Row Count 30 (+ 15)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.04057 cm} x{2.93643 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cultural Perspectives on Death (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{African Cultures:}} & Death is often seen as a transition to the ancestral realm, where the deceased continue to play a role in the lives of the living. Rituals are communal and can be elaborate, involving music, dance, and offerings. The concept of "living dead" (ancestors who are still remembered) is important in many African cultures. \tn 
% Row Count 14 (+ 14)
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Latin American Cultures:}} & Death is often celebrated as part of life, as seen in traditions like Mexico's Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This festival honors deceased loved ones with altars, offerings, and celebrations that reflect the belief in the ongoing connection between the living and the dead. \tn 
% Row Count 27 (+ 13)
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Middle Eastern Cultures:}} & Death rituals are deeply influenced by religious beliefs, particularly Islam, with an emphasis on burial and the quick transition of the soul to the afterlife. Mourning practices are community-oriented, with an emphasis on prayer, remembrance, and charity. \tn 
% Row Count 39 (+ 12)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.38896 cm} x{2.58804 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cultural Approaches to Death}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{The Social Construction of Death:}} & {\bf{Death as a Cultural Construct:}} Different societies construct meanings around death, influencing how people understand and experience it. For example, death can be seen as a natural part of life, a tragic end, or a transformative process. \tn 
% Row Count 13 (+ 13)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Taboos and Euphemisms:}} Many cultures have taboos around discussing death directly, leading to the use of euphemisms (e.g., "passing away," "gone to a better place") and rituals to manage the fear and uncertainty associated with death. \tn 
% Row Count 25 (+ 12)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Symbolism in Death:}} & {\bf{Grave Markers and Monuments:}} Symbols like crosses, tombstones, and mausoleums serve as both memorials to the dead and reflections of cultural beliefs about death and the afterlife. \tn 
% Row Count 35 (+ 10)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.38896 cm} x{2.58804 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cultural Approaches to Death (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Artistic Representations:}} Art, literature, and music often explore themes of death, offering cultural narratives about mortality, grief, and remembrance (e.g., memento mori in Renaissance art, elegies in poetry). \tn 
% Row Count 11 (+ 11)
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Death in Modern Culture:}} & {\bf{Secularization and Death:}} In secular societies, traditional religious explanations for death may be replaced by medical, psychological, or philosophical understandings. \tn 
% Row Count 20 (+ 9)
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Media and Death:}} The portrayal of death in media, including films, news, and social media, shapes public perceptions and conversations about mortality. \tn 
% Row Count 28 (+ 8)
% Row 6
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Death Positivity Movement:}} A contemporary cultural shift that encourages open discussions about death, acceptance of mortality, and the planning of end-of-life care. \tn 
% Row Count 37 (+ 9)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.14011 cm} x{2.83689 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Rituals, Symbols, and Practices Surrounding Death}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Funerals and Burials:}} & The most common rituals across cultures, involving the preparation and disposition of the body. Methods vary (e.g., burial, cremation, sky burial) and are often symbolic of beliefs about the afterlife and the soul's journey. \tn 
% Row Count 11 (+ 11)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Mourning Practices:}} & {\bf{Mourning Attire:}} Wearing black or other specific colors to signify grief. \tn 
% Row Count 15 (+ 4)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Public Displays of Grief:}} Crying, wailing, or performing certain rituals to express loss. \tn 
% Row Count 20 (+ 5)
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Memorial Services:}} Gatherings held to honor the deceased, which may occur shortly after death or annually. \tn 
% Row Count 25 (+ 5)
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Symbols of Death:}} & {\bf{Skulls and Skeletons:}} Common symbols in many cultures, representing the inevitability of death. \tn 
% Row Count 30 (+ 5)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.14011 cm} x{2.83689 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Rituals, Symbols, and Practices Surrounding Death (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Candles and Fire:}} Used to symbolize the soul, light in darkness, or purification. \tn 
% Row Count 4 (+ 4)
% Row 6
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Flowers:}} Often used in funerals to symbolize life, beauty, and the transient nature of existence. \tn 
% Row Count 9 (+ 5)
% Row 7
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Commemoration of the Dead:}} & {\bf{Tombs and Monuments:}} Physical structures that honor the deceased and provide a place for the living to remember them. \tn 
% Row Count 15 (+ 6)
% Row 8
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Anniversaries and Festivals:}} Specific days set aside to remember and honor the dead, such as All Souls' Day in Christianity or Qingming in Chinese culture. \tn 
% Row Count 23 (+ 8)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.38896 cm} x{2.58804 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death Rituals Across Cultures}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Traditional Burial Practices:}} & {\bf{Earth Burial:}} Common in many cultures, involving the interment of the body in the ground, often accompanied by religious or cultural rituals. \tn 
% Row Count 8 (+ 8)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Cremation:}} Practiced in various cultures, including Hinduism and Buddhism, where the body is burned, and the ashes are often scattered in meaningful locations. \tn 
% Row Count 17 (+ 9)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Sky Burial:}} A Tibetan Buddhist practice where the body is left on a mountaintop to decompose and be consumed by scavengers, reflecting beliefs in the impermanence of the body. \tn 
% Row Count 26 (+ 9)
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Modern Funeral Practices:}} & {\bf{Green Burials:}} Environmentally friendly burials that avoid embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, reflecting growing ecological concerns. \tn 
% Row Count 34 (+ 8)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.38896 cm} x{2.58804 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death Rituals Across Cultures (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Memorial Services:}} In some cultures, traditional funerals are replaced or supplemented by non-religious memorial services that celebrate the life of the deceased. \tn 
% Row Count 9 (+ 9)
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Death Festivals and Celebrations:}} & {\bf{Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)}}: A Mexican festival that honors deceased loved ones with altars, offerings, and celebrations, emphasizing the connection between the living and the dead. \tn 
% Row Count 19 (+ 10)
% Row 6
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Obon Festival:}} A Japanese Buddhist festival where families honor the spirits of their ancestors with dances, lanterns, and offerings. \tn 
% Row Count 26 (+ 7)
% Row 7
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day):}} A Chinese tradition where families clean and make offerings at ancestral graves, reflecting Confucian values of filial piety. \tn 
% Row Count 35 (+ 9)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.23965 cm} x{2.73735 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Theoretical Perspectives on Death and Culture}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Psychological Theories:}} & {\bf{Terror Management Theory:}} Suggests that cultural worldviews, religious beliefs, and self-esteem function as buffers against the fear of death. \tn 
% Row Count 7 (+ 7)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Grief and Bereavement:}} The psychological processes of coping with loss, including models like Kübler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). \tn 
% Row Count 16 (+ 9)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Sociological Theories:}} & {\bf{Durkheim's Theory of Religion:}} Emphasizes the role of religion in creating social cohesion and providing meaning, particularly in the face of death. \tn 
% Row Count 23 (+ 7)
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Rites of Passage (Van Gennep):}} Describes how death rituals serve as a transition for both the deceased and the community, marking the shift from life to death and integrating this change into the social fabric. \tn 
% Row Count 33 (+ 10)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.23965 cm} x{2.73735 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Theoretical Perspectives on Death and Culture (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Anthropological Perspectives:}} & {\bf{Cultural Relativism:}} Understanding death rituals and beliefs within the context of a particular culture without imposing external judgments. \tn 
% Row Count 7 (+ 7)
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Structuralism (Levi-Strauss):}} Analyzes how death rituals reflect the underlying structures of thought within a culture, such as binary oppositions (life/death, sacred/profane). \tn 
% Row Count 16 (+ 9)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death in Contemporary Culture}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Secularization and Changing Attitudes:}} & In many parts of the world, particularly the West, traditional religious beliefs about death are declining, leading to more personalized, secular approaches to death and funerals. This shift has led to new forms of memorialization, such as online tributes and non-religious ceremonies. \tn 
% Row Count 15 (+ 15)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Death in Media and Pop Culture:}} & Death is a common theme in literature, film, television, and art, often explored as a means of addressing existential questions, fears, and the meaning of life. This has contributed to changing perceptions of death, making it both a taboo and a subject of fascination. \tn 
% Row Count 29 (+ 14)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{End-of-Life Care and Ethical Issues:}} & As medical technology advances, ethical issues surrounding death have become more prominent, including debates over euthanasia, palliative care, and the right to die. These debates often intersect with religious and cultural beliefs about the sanctity of life and the acceptability of hastening death. \tn 
% Row Count 45 (+ 16)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Death in Contemporary Culture (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Globalization and Hybridization of Death Practices:}} & The increasing interconnectedness of the world has led to the blending of death rituals and practices, as people borrow and adapt customs from different cultures. This has created new forms of ritual that reflect both global influences and local traditions. \tn 
% Row Count 13 (+ 13)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{The Role of Death in Shaping Culture}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Philosophical and Ethical Questions:}} & {\bf{The Meaning of Death:}} Philosophers and theologians have long debated the meaning of death and its implications for life. Existentialists, for example, see the awareness of death as central to the human condition. \tn 
% Row Count 11 (+ 11)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Ethics of End-of-Life Care:}} Issues such as euthanasia, palliative care, and the right to die raise ethical questions about how societies manage death and dying. \tn 
% Row Count 20 (+ 9)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Grief and Mourning Practices:}} & {\bf{Stages of Grief:}} Psychologists like Elisabeth Kübler-Ross have identified stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) that many people experience, though these are not universal. \tn 
% Row Count 31 (+ 11)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{The Role of Death in Shaping Culture (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Cultural Expressions of Grief:}} Different cultures have unique ways of expressing and managing grief, from public displays of mourning to private rituals of remembrance. \tn 
% Row Count 9 (+ 9)
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Death and Identity:}} & {\bf{Death as Identity Marker:}} The way a society handles death can shape individual and collective identities, influencing how people see themselves and their community. \tn 
% Row Count 18 (+ 9)
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Martyrdom and Heroic Deaths:}} In some cultures, dying for a cause or in a heroic manner can confer honor and influence cultural values and narratives. \tn 
% Row Count 26 (+ 8)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Contemporary Issues}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Globalization and Death:}} & {\bf{Cross-Cultural Influences:}} Globalization has led to the blending of death practices and the spread of death-related ideas across cultures. For example, Western funeral practices are increasingly adopted in non-Western contexts, and vice versa. \tn 
% Row Count 13 (+ 13)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
 & {\bf{Diaspora Communities:}} Immigrant and diaspora communities often adapt their traditional death practices to new cultural contexts, creating hybrid forms of rituals. \tn 
% Row Count 22 (+ 9)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{Technological Impact on Death and Mourning:}} & {\bf{Digital Memorials:}} Online memorials and social media platforms have become spaces for mourning and remembrance, reflecting changes in how people grieve and remember the dead. \tn 
% Row Count 31 (+ 9)
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\vfill
\columnbreak
\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Contemporary Issues (cont)}}  \tn
% Row 3
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Cryonics and Life Extension:}} Advances in technology raise new questions about death, including the possibility of extending life indefinitely through medical interventions or cryopreservation. \tn 
% Row Count 10 (+ 10)
% Row 4
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Death Education and Awareness:}} & {\bf{Thanatology:}} The academic study of death and dying, focusing on understanding the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of death. \tn 
% Row Count 17 (+ 7)
% Row 5
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
 & {\bf{Death Cafes and Workshops:}} Community events where people come together to discuss death openly, aiming to reduce the taboo around the subject and promote awareness. \tn 
% Row Count 26 (+ 9)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{x{2.4885 cm} x{2.4885 cm} }
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{2}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Case Studies}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{The Egyptian Pyramids and Afterlife Beliefs:}} & The construction of the pyramids was deeply connected to Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. The pyramids served as tombs for pharaohs, reflecting the culture's views on death, the afterlife, and the continuation of the soul. \tn 
% Row Count 12 (+ 12)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
{\bf{Victorian Mourning Practices:}} & In 19th-century Britain, mourning practices were elaborate and codified, reflecting the era's views on death and the social importance of public mourning. Practices included wearing mourning clothes, creating mourning jewelry, and holding extended periods of public mourning. \tn 
% Row Count 26 (+ 14)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
{\bf{The Tibetan Book of the Dead:}} & This text is a key component of Tibetan Buddhist rituals surrounding death, offering guidance for the soul's journey after death and reflecting the cultural and religious views on the transition between life and death. \tn 
% Row Count 37 (+ 11)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}

\begin{tabularx}{5.377cm}{X}
\SetRowColor{DarkBackground}
\mymulticolumn{1}{x{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Conclusion}}  \tn
% Row 0
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
\mymulticolumn{1}{x{5.377cm}}{The study of death, religion, and culture reveals the deep and varied ways in which humanity grapples with mortality} \tn 
% Row Count 3 (+ 3)
% Row 1
\SetRowColor{white}
\mymulticolumn{1}{x{5.377cm}}{By exploring the rituals, beliefs, and practices surrounding death, we gain insight into the values, fears, and hopes that shape human societies} \tn 
% Row Count 6 (+ 3)
% Row 2
\SetRowColor{LightBackground}
\mymulticolumn{1}{x{5.377cm}}{This field continues to evolve, reflecting changes in religious beliefs, cultural practices, and global influences, making it a rich area of study for understanding both the universal and particular aspects of the human experience} \tn 
% Row Count 11 (+ 5)
\hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}-}
\end{tabularx}
\par\addvspace{1.3em}


% That's all folks
\end{multicols*}

\end{document}