2.  Death – Used to be defined when the heart stops beating – more commonly now when there is no brain activity:  Sanctity of life  Quality of life  Value of life

3.  Christians believe in life after death – God decides where you will spend eternity. Heaven or Hell – this depends on how you have followed your religion and your actions throughout life  Catholic Christians believe in purgatory – a place where the souls goes to get “cleansed” before heaven

4.  Muslims believe that when you die there is a place of waiting – Barzakh. Then there is the “Day of Judgment” when Allah decides who goes to heaven / hell  Powerful imagery surrounds these beliefs – fire, devil, torture: paradise, happiness, peace

5.  Poverty – relying on a state pension of £400 fuel / petrol / heating  Forced to retire- jobs given to the younger generation. Feelings of boredom  Illness – More likely to have health problems  Dependant on others – less mobile and need help with jobs - gardening  Feel Worthless or lonely – can be left alone when their partner dies

6.  Living at home: Many are independent and live at home with support (meals on wheels)  Living with family: Some old people live with family who provide care for them. This is a way to show gratitude towards them. Muslims in particular prefer this option as it is their duty to care for the elderly. Might be difficult with medical care needed

7.  Community options  Sheltered housing – specialist housing with a warden on duty to help  Residential homes – provided their own rooms but have communal common rooms  Care homes – provide all care and medical needs

8.  Christians believe the elderly should be supported and respected.  Christians prefer the elderly to have independence but will consider care options  Churches often provide support for the elderly such as services in the residential homes

9.  Christianity is deeply involved in the hospice movement  Christians are encouraged to recognise experience and wisdom is associated with age  “Love your neighbour” teachings of Jesus

10.  Muslims believe in an extended family so different generations often live with each other  It is an expected duty to look after elderly parents which provides spiritual growth  It is seen as disrespectful to put the elderly in a home

11.  Passive – Withdrawal of treatment / food – Intention is to stop pain / allow natural death  Active – Deliberate action killing / ending someone’s life  Voluntary – Asking for help to die  Non-voluntary – Not able to ask (Coma)  Involuntary – Could ask but don’t – Murder??

12.  Euthanasia is illegal in UK and people have / will face criminal charges for helping other to die.  In Switzerland euthanasia is allowed and many people have travelled to the Dignitas centre who help people die with dignity

13.  The bible includes many references to the value of life – Sanctity of life  It breaks one of the 10 commandments “do not kill”  Christians believe God has fixed our life spans – Only he has the right to take it away

14.  Suicide is wrong but most Christians recognise people who try to kill themselves need care and understanding.  In the past some denominations (types of Christians) refused to bury suicide victims on church ground – the Quakers did not take this view

15.  Christians support the turning off life support machines  Case Study of Tony Bland (Hillsborough) – took 5 years to turn off the life support

16.  The idea of the “right to die with dignity” is NOT acceptable to Muslims  Islam teaches that it is Allah who created life – only he can take it away -Life is a sacred gift  Suffering is for a purpose – it is the will of Allah who is testing them

17.  Muslims do not oppose the turning off life support machines or passive Euthanasia - To prolong life unnaturally is to go against the will of Allah  Muhammad taught it is wrong to take one’s own life – it will result in torment on the day of judgement

18.  A home for the terminally ill  Aim is to control pain and stop suffering palliative care  The emphasis is on the quality of life and providing support – preparing people for the journey.  Set up by Dame Cicely Saunders – a Christian who believed that we should help those in need

19.  Christianity and Islam teach that there is an after life and people will be at peace with their God after they die. This is a comfort for both the person dying and the ones left behind.  Christians believe that you should not fear death and that God will look after you in your suffering.  Hospices are a Christian based home for the dying.

20.  On a practical level religions are keen to support the dying. Priests listen to confessions and help with funeral arrangements.  They may visit the family after the funeral to offer support in their mourning  Muslims believe that Allah is compassionate and will help those suffering