<html><body><div dir="ltr">Hello,</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On recent calls, we have discussed the issue of the words used by different people, languages, and cultures to refer to death, dying, and individuals who have passed. Out of these discussions I have learned that there are cultural taboos to discussing these topics and, in some cases, an aversion to specific words or words that sound similar.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">As an American raised in a Jewish home, my perspective reflects the tradition in which I was raised. While there is no aversion to speaking of deceased individuals or discussing the topic in Judaism as it was practiced in my home, there are specific rituals attached to a person’s passing. I don’t believe any of those rituals will be of relevance to DADE CG.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">However, I can only approach this topic from my personal understanding and background, which I suspect is true of most of us taking part in DADE CG. With this in mind, I’d like to open a discussion to understand how different people approach the topic from their cultural and religious backgrounds with the goal of finding suitable language that we can use within DADE CG during our discussions and in our written documents. The DADE CG co-chairs want to be able to discuss the topic while minimizing discomfort to DADE CG members and those who consume the work of DADE CG. </div></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">My request to the DADE CG members follows: </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Can you please share a perspective based on your personal background (culture, religion, language) regarding our choice of language to refer to the concepts of death, dying, and the deceased? Are there any rituals that might intersect with DADE CG that we should be aware of as we write guidance or discuss DADE CG in public forums? </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">If you can respond to the mailing list, that would be great. However, if a public response on the mailing list is not within your comfort zone, please feel free to respond to me or the other co-chairs directly. We will take all of your feedback to find a path forward that allows us to talk openly with respect for one another.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I will raise this topic on today’s call, as well, to get the discussion started.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Respectfully,</div><div dir="ltr">-dhs</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">--<br><div dir="ltr">Dean H. Saxe, <a href="https://idpro.org/cidpro/">CIDPRO</a> (he/him)</div><div dir="ltr">Principal Engineer</div><div dir="ltr">Office of the CTO</div><div dir="ltr">Beyond Identity</div><div dir="ltr"><a href="mailto:dean.saxe@beyondidentity.com">dean.saxe@beyondidentity.com</a></div><div><br><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>