Cultural Considerations End of Life Issues Cultural Considerations

The disparities surrounding cultural beliefs during end of life preparation and following death are as numerous as the cultures themselves.

Even among peoples identified externally as a single group, differences exist. For example, Hispanics in America represent a wide variety of backgrounds, including South American, Central American, Cuban, and Puerto Rican. Their cultural differences are distinguishable, and the people are proud of their unique heritages. Because no single Hispanic culture exists, practices related to grief can vary

Religion Vast majority of Christians believe in some kind of heaven. Initially, most Christian favored burial of the dead body but today both cremation and burial are practiced by Christians.

Catholics When a person is close to death the family or friends ask a priest to come and pray with the sick person and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered. This includes anointing with Holy Oils and the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. After the person has passed away the priest comforts the family and helps them prepare the funeral arrangements.

Beliefs may vary depending on whether the Jewish person is Orthodox, Reform or Conservative. Jews believe that when they die they will go to Heaven to be with God. Death is seen as a part of life and a part of God’s plan. Family and friends will gather. A rabbi may be called to offer comfort and to pray for the person who is dying.

In Jewish law, being around a dead body causes uncleanliness so often the washing of the body and preparations for burial will be carried out by a special group of volunteers from the Jewish community. This is considered a holy act.

A dying person may wish to die facing Mecca, the Muslim holy city. Muslims believe that the present life is only a preparation for the next realm of existence. There are two types of Muslims – Shi’ite and Sunni, so beliefs and customs may be slightly different for each. A dying person may wish to die facing Mecca, the Muslim holy city. For Muslims, death is merely movement from one world to another. It can be described as a journey through a separate dimension of existence. The Prophet taught that three things can continue to help a person even after death; charity which he had given, knowledge which he had taught and prayers on their behalf by a righteous child.

Muslims Upon the death of a Muslim person, the body of the deceased is washed and covered in a clean white cloth and preparation for burial takes place as soon as possible. Muslims gather and prayers are performed for the dead and soon after the prayer the body of the deceased is buried.

Death in Hinduism is very spiritual, and it strongly believes in the rebirth and reincarnation of souls. After death, Hindus are not buried, but cremated. Family and a priest may come to pray with the dying person, sing holy songs and read holy texts. The priest may perform last rites.

Hindus Family will pray around the body soon after death. People try to avoid touching the body as it is considered unclean.

Buddhists believe in reincarnation: once a person dies on this earth, he will be reborn to a new life here and the status of that life depends on the work he did before his previous death. When a person is close to death, family members and monks recite scriptures and mantras. By doing so, they help the dying person to achieve a peaceful state of mind.

Buddhists believe the spirit leaves the body immediately but may linger in an in between state near the body. In this case it is important the body is treated with respect so that the spirit can continue its journey to a happy state.

Cultures African Americans may prefer to delay discussion about end of life issues until the patient is at that phase. At the time of death, there may be a gathering of family and close friends, who will offer prayers for the departed.

Many Hispanic families can have a difficult time letting go Many Hispanic families can have a difficult time letting go. They have strong faith and much hope right up to the very end. The family may want to be at the bed side, day and night, praying and saying the rosary.

At the time of death nothing should be removed from the body At the time of death nothing should be removed from the body. The Native American Indian believes everything that was part of the body at the time of death should be buried on the reservation.

Prolongation of life depends on opinions of the patients and/or their families. Donation of body or parts could be a sensitive issue. Be cautious when talking about donation. Also, most Koreans would not want autopsies for their family members.

Vietnamese patients may resist organ donation because they believe in reincarnation and that the deceased will see their Gods or ancestors. Also, they may not want an autopsy performed unless deceased person gives prior consent. There are no specific rituals with Vietnamese at time of death. It will depend upon the religious tradition they practice.

Please answer questionnaire individually and then we will discuss as a group.

Sources http://amemorytree.co.nz/customs.php http://www.religiousmovements.org/views-on-death-according-to-different-religions/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241064/ https://www.roswellpark.org/sites/default/files/node-files/page/nid940-21946-caring-across-cultures-web.pdf