Religious Practices Surrounding Death

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Religious Practices Surrounding Death
One of the most beautiful things about America is being in a melting pot full of different people, cultures, religions, ideas and beliefs. Culture and religious affiliation make individuals who they are. They influence decisions made while living and greatly influence decisions surrounding death. Death practices differ in each culture and often religion heavily influences these practices. In 2010, 715,000 people died in hospitals across the United States (Fox, 2013). As nurses, we will undoubtedly encounter death of patients and various religious rituals that will surround death. Examining different religious practices will help when encountering these rituals in the workplace.
Christianity is one of the largest religious groups in the United States that encompasses many different sects. Traditional Christian believes that “death is viewed as the entrance to eternal life and, therefore, is preferable to physical life” (Leming & Dickson, 2011, p. 126). Immorality of the soul, resurrection of the body, and divine judgment of earthly life will result in eternal life and repayments of heaven or the retributions of hell (Leming & Dickson, 2011). Numerous traditional Christians believe that the worst way to die would be suddenly or without warning. This type of death would leave no time to focus on repentance, receive Communion or a final anointing. Many times death may be postponed using technology or medication to increase the time for repentance and final preparations by the dying and family. Because the concern for final repentance is so important to traditional Christians, the amount of sedation chosen by the patient family may also be affected (Engelhardt, 2005). Christian believes allow fo...

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...and family than virtually any other health care profession. Nurses play a vital role in caring for patients, especially when going through the dying process. Nonjudgmental

References
Engelhardt, H. T., & Ana, S. I. (2005). End-of-life: The traditional christian view. The Lancet, 366(9490), 1045-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199033351?accountid=158614
Fox, M. (2013, March 27). Hospital deaths declined just a little over 10 years, reports find. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/health/hospital-deaths-declined-just-little-over-10-years-report-finds-1C9097214.
Leming, M. R., & Dickinson, G. E. (2011). Understanding dying, death, & bereavement. (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Ross, H. M. (1998). Jewish tradition in death and dying. Medsurg Nursing, 7(5), 275-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/230517053?accountid=158614.

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