Taking the "grim" out of Grim Reaper: families, humor and the dying process

Abstract

This exploratory, phenomenological study examined how families caring for a dying family member use humor. Five families were interviewed. Data analysis explored how and when families in the dying process use humor. Families used humor to connect and bond, provide emotional rest, decrease discomfort, make peace with impending death, as an expression of their personality and just for fun. Use was shaped by family norms and individual personalities. Humor from family members was more acceptable than humor from professionals, with humor from physicians the most problematic. The study offers suggestions for future research.