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Sydney West Area Health Service - Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Services |
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After DeathReligious Needs of Patients in Sickness Dying and DeathPastoral Care Departments Blacktown and Mt. Druitt HospitalsPrepared by Jacob van Gent Pastoral Care Manager, Blacktown Hospital
CONTENTS
(© Monash Medical Centre. Melbourne, Victoria. Used with Permission from Fr. Paul Bower.) Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CHAPLAINCY & PASTORAL CARE SERVICESChaplaincy & Pastoral Care Services is the liaison between the Hospital and all religious visitors.
Chaplains or religious visitors for the following religious and cultural groups are available: Anglican, Baha'i, Baptist, Buddhist, Churches of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon), Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Hindu, Indonesian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish Progressive, Jewish Orthodox, Lutheran, Muslim, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Serbian Orthodox, Seventh Day Adventist, Sikh, Uniting Church. When to call a ChaplainFor many people, religious faith is a powerful source of strength, comfort and healing. Patients/relatives should always be asked if they would like a Chaplain to visit when:
An Interpreter and/or Social Worker may also be of assistance. Any member of staff wishing to call a religious visitor of the patient's choice should contact Pastoral Care. How to call a ChaplainMONDAY — FRIDAY — Contact Pastoral Care in your Hospital. AFTER HOURS, WEEKENDS, AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:- Contact Denominational Chaplain via switchboard. *In Cases of emergency, crisis situations, serious accidents, death or imminent death, and where no particular denomination can be ascertained, Please contact Pastoral Care Manager, through the switchboard. Pastoral Care DepartmentPastoral Care Workers are part of the Hospital's Health Care Team, providing spiritual and emotional support and encouragement to patients, their families and friends.
They are also available to support staff.
Please refer all queries and comments concerning Pastoral Care to the Pastoral Care Department.
Your Pastoral Care Team consist of: Blacktown: Pastoral Care Manager. Ext. 48193; Page 7522 Pastoral Care Coordinator. Ext. 48201; Page 3782 Pastoral Care Volunteers. Ext. 48201. Mt Druitt: Pastoral Care Manager. Ext 41599; Page 5666 Pastoral Care Workers maintain a strict code of confidentiality in relation to information regarding patients and staff. AFTER A DEATHAt time of death When a patient dies in hospital, the family or next-of-kin is notified of the death by the nursing or medical staff. If possible, family and next-of-kin are encouraged to see the deceased in the ward area. This enables the family to express their grief and say their goodbyes (‘see you later’ would be appropriate). What will happen? At the time of death, the family sometimes asks: "what will happen to him/her now". It should be explained that there is no need for the family to hurry. When they are ready to leave the hospital, the body of the deceased person will be taken to the hospital mortuary to await transfer to the funeral premises. The family will need to choose a funeral director and notify the funeral director of their choice, who will arrange with the hospital to collect the body of the deceased. In the case of an inquest a post mortem may need to be conducted. This should be carefully discussed with the family. Viewing the body If possible, the body of the deceased patient can be viewed by the family after death either in the ward area, in the hospital mortuary or in the funeral premises. A member of staff, such as a nurse, Pastoral Care Worker, or Social Worker should accompany family members to the hospital mortuary.
Please note that for some cultures and religions (eg, Jewish) viewing of the body is unacceptable. Sudden, traumatic or unexpected death In the case of sudden, traumatic or unexpected death, arrangements for the debriefing of family members and, where necessary, staff, should be arranged through Pastoral Care or Social Work Departments. This is imperative, especially when the death is a suicide. When a sudden death occurs in hospital in the middle of the night, a Chaplain or, if unavailable, The Pastoral Care Manager, can be contacted via the Switchboard. RELIGIOUS NEEDS OF PATIENTSAustralian Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderThe communities, clans and groups throughout Australia differ considerably in ceremonies and practices related to sickness and death. It is therefore imperative that each case be treated separately. In order to establish the particular customs, the next-of-kin should be contacted for directions.
It is most important that Aboriginal patients understand the nature of their illness and treatment. An interpreter may be necessary. Sickness Visiting the sick is very important to Aboriginal people. The patient needs the presence of family and friends. If family and friends cannot be contacted, the Aboriginal Chaplains should be asked to call. Often, relatives will have come long distances and made great sacrifices in order to be present they will be grateful for permission to sit silently with a patient during rest time and at night.
Patients from traditional or tribal situation may look for "alternative" forms of therapy. These should be treated with respect - in some situations, they can be very effective. A single room and a few minutes privacy should be considered if traditional ceremonies are to be held. Death & Dying When an Aboriginal person is dying, it is the custom that many members of the extended family and friends will want to come to pay their respects, and stay until death. A single room is helpful at this time. Sometimes the family will ask to have the patient returned to their spiritual land for their last days.
Autopsy Unacceptable - unless coronial. Cremation Unacceptable. Organ Donation Generally unacceptable. Organ Reception Generally unacceptable. Aboriginal Liaison Officer may be contacted through the switch BuddhistThe next-of-kin should be notified by the doctor as soon as possible. This will allow the family to notify a Buddhist minister or monk of the same school of Buddhism, if this is their wish. Sickness No special needs. Death & Dying Some practising Buddhists may refuse ALL medication at the end so that they can retain full awareness, irrespective of pain, at the moment of their death. This should be allowed. Autopsy Acceptable. Cremation Preferable. Organ Donation Individual decision. Organ Reception Individual decision. Christian (Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, Baptist, etc.)Prayer and Sacraments (eg. Holy Communion, Anointing) are particularly meaningful for many patients, and your discretion for their privacy at such times will be appreciated. Death & Dying Ask the patient or family if they would like you to call their own minister or priest, or call the hospital chaplain of their denomination. Autopsy Acceptable. Cremation Acceptable. Organ Donation Acceptable. Organ Reception Acceptable.
Christian ScienceSickness Christian Scientists rely on God's presence and power for healing by spiritual means alone. Where there is a choice, the individual or a representative makes the decision to have either medical treatment or to rely solely on spiritual means. Death & Dying No special needs. Autopsy Unacceptable - unless coronial. Cremation Individual decision. Organ Donation Not normally practiced — though left to individual decision. Organ Reception Not normally practiced — though left to individual decision.
HinduSickness Wearing of an auspicious ring, medal or necklace is common practice and Hindus may not wish to part from such items under any circumstances.
Dietary and fasting needs should also be ascertained and respected.
Death & Dying
The family must be contacted as soon as possible by the doctor involved. The doctor involved will counsel the family.
It is of extra importance that disposable gloves are worn whilst preparing the body for the Coroner. The family may be distressed if the body is touched by non-Hindus.
The body is preferably cremated within 24 hours of death. Therefore, the doctor involved must inform the Coroner’s Office that the patient is Hindu. This may facilitate the early release of the body for cremation. Autopsy Disliked, though permissible. Cremation Preferable. Organ Donation Acceptable. Organ Reception Acceptable.
Jehovah’s WitnessesSickness Prayer may be particularly comforting to the patient when sick, and your discretion for their privacy at such times would be appreciated.
Blood Transfusions
This subject is treated comprehensively in the manual "Jehovah's Witnesses their Medical Management" located in the library.
Adult Jehovah's Witnesses carry on their person an Advance Medical Directive Release.
Please check this card as it contains:
Death & Dying
No special needs.
Autopsy
Jehovah's Witnesses can make a personal choice to accept or authorise an autopsy.
Cremation
Acceptable.
Organ Donation
Individual choice.
Organ Reception
Individual choice. Jewish Orthodox[Note: Please try to determine if Orthodox or of the Progressive Jewish (Liberal) tradition, so proper procedure can be followed.)
Sickness
The following rites and customs are observed to quite varying degrees by Orthodox Jews.
Diet
Please enquire as to whether the patient requires a kosher food diet, if so, this may be arranged through Food Services.
Dying
During the last minutes of life, no-one in the presence of the deceased may leave, excepting those whose emotions are uncontrollable, or the physically ill. It is a matter of the greatest respect to watch over a person as he/she passes from this world into the next.
If it is felt that death is imminent, the patient's family should be asked if they would like a visit from the Orthodox Rabbi. It must be pointed out that appropriate prayers are recited before death. There are no ‘last rites’ after death in the Jewish tradition.
Death
With the family's permission the Jewish Burial Society (Chevra Kadisha), should be contacted immediately to enable funeral proceedings to commence. The Society provides a 24-hour service, phone 9363 2248, or on Saturday or Jewish Holidays 9389 3499.
Autopsy
Unacceptable unless coronial.
Embalming
Unacceptable.
Cremation
Unacceptable.
Organ Donation
Generally unacceptable.
Organ Reception
Where such transplantation would possibly extend the life of the patient, it is not only acceptable, but advisable.
Jewish Progressive (Liberal)[Note: Please try to determine if the patient is Orthodox or of the Progressive tradition, so proper procedure can be followed.]
Sickness
Please respect the patient's possible need for prayer time and fasting. However, please ensure fasting has been permitted by patient's doctor. Please inquire whether the patient wants or requires a kosher food diet.
Dying
The patient's family should be asked if they would like the Progressive Jewish Rabbi to visit.
Death
Progressive Jewish: (Note Please determine if the family wishes to use the Chevra Kadisha or not. If they have, see Jewish Orthodox section for requirements).
With the family's permission, contact Chevra Kaddish (9363 2248, or on Saturday or Jewish Holidays 9389 3499) or a Funeral Director to enable funeral proceedings to commence. They will contact the Rabbi and make other necessary arrangements. This is a 24-hour service.
After death has been determined, the eyes and the mouth of the deceased must be closed.
The deceased should only be handled if it is for the deceased's honour, such as:
It is not necessary to wrap in plastic as this causes delays in being able to remove the deceased.
It is a matter of importance for Jews to be buried soon after death.
Therefore:
When parts of the body are removed for surgical reasons (eg. Limbs and organs) such parts of the body must be retained and the Rabbi informed immediately and, in addition, consulted where there is any doubt. Under such circumstances, the patient or family should not be disturbed on these matters.
Doctors should write the Death Certificate immediately after death to facilitate the early removal of the body from the hospital, and if appropriate, inform the Coroners Office that the patient is Jewish.
Autopsy
Acceptable.
Cremation
Acceptable.
Organ Donation
Acceptable.
Organ Reception
Acceptable.
Maori
The degree of beliefs and observance varies within community and family groups. As there is no single spokesperson for the community, it is recommended that staff consult the patient or relatives to ascertain their needs.
Sickness
It is most important that Maori patients and their families understand the nature of their illness, with a support person present throughout the conveyance of medical advice. It is offensive to a Maori to use the table/bedside locker for other than food and books. Another place needs to be found for medical equipment, urine bottles etc. Most Maori patients desire the presence of family and friends at all times.
Death and Dying
Extended family and friends will want to come and pay respects and may wish to stay a couple of hours. The release of the deceased to the family as early as possible is essential to the traditional grieving process of the Maori family.
As soon as possible following the death, a prayer of commendation is required for the deceased.
Autopsy
Generally unacceptable - unless coronial.
Cremation
Generally unacceptable - but individual decision.
Organ Donation
Generally unacceptable - family consultation essential.
Organ Reception
Generally unacceptable - family consultation essential.
Muslim
Sickness
Please respect the patient's need for dress code, prayer time, ritual washing and dietary requirements. Personal modesty and the preference that caregiver be of the same gender as the patient.
Diet
Please enquire to ascertain the patient’s dietary requirements. All pork and bacon products are forbidden. Alcohol and other intoxicating substances are also prohibited. If a Muslim person is ill they are exempted from fasting during Ramadan.
Dying
The patient or family may like an Imam or Muslim Chaplain to visit. A Chaplain can be contacted via Switchboard.
Please respect the desire of relatives who may wish quietly to recite the Quran or prayers.
Dying patients should be laid either on their right side facing the Kabah (ie. North West in Sydney) or on their back with the feet towards the North West and the head slightly raised on a pillow so to be facing North West.
Death
The main emphasis at death is in respect for the body. Male care givers should handle male bodies, and female care givers should handle female bodies. The body should be handled as little as possible. The face together with the whole body must be covered by a sheet. The dead body should at no time be stripped naked, even in the mortuary.
Since Muslims believe in burial as soon as possible after death, doctors should write the Death Certificate immediately after death to facilitate removal of the body from the hospital, and if appropriate inform the Coroner’s office that the patient is a Muslim. Autopsy Unacceptable - unless coronial. Cremation Unacceptable. Organ Donation Can be acceptable. Organ Reception Can be acceptable. SikhSickness Please respect the patient's need for dress code, prayer time and dietary requirements. Please respect the 5 sacred symbols. hair, comb, bracelet; ‘sword’; and underwear. Hair of a Sikh should never be cut without permission. If it is necessary for the patient to be shaved for an operation and he/she is unwilling, please contact the Sikh chaplain via Switchboard. Death The body may be washed, although this will be performed in Sikh tradition after release by the Coroner.
To allow for release and cremation of the body within 24 hours, the doctor involved informs the Coroner’s office that the patient is a Sikh. Autopsy Individual decision. Cremation Always. Organ Donation Individual decision. Organ Reception Individual decision. |
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