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Vol 8, No 2 (2009)
Review articles
Published online: 2009-03-30
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The dignity of a dying human in different religions of the world

Anna Orońska
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2009;8(2):63-63.

open access

Vol 8, No 2 (2009)
Review articles
Published online: 2009-03-30

Abstract

Attitudes towards death, preparations for it and faith in life after death are the core of each religion and philosophical system. Death is the final ritual, the last chance to discover the ultimate meaning and aim of life. That is where the dignity of a dying human comes from, which is expressed by the rituals connected with a religion: preparations for death, accompanying the dying person, as well as the rituals of funeral and way of experiencing mourning. The approach of a religion towards the problem of suicide and euthanasia stems from that.
The paper describes attitudes to death in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. It also discusses the basic philosophical and existential ideas, as well as problems of preparation to death, handling a dead body and behaviour of the relatives during the period of mourning. Due to the growing multicultural character of societies the knowledge is necessary for people working in palliative care.

Abstract

Attitudes towards death, preparations for it and faith in life after death are the core of each religion and philosophical system. Death is the final ritual, the last chance to discover the ultimate meaning and aim of life. That is where the dignity of a dying human comes from, which is expressed by the rituals connected with a religion: preparations for death, accompanying the dying person, as well as the rituals of funeral and way of experiencing mourning. The approach of a religion towards the problem of suicide and euthanasia stems from that.
The paper describes attitudes to death in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. It also discusses the basic philosophical and existential ideas, as well as problems of preparation to death, handling a dead body and behaviour of the relatives during the period of mourning. Due to the growing multicultural character of societies the knowledge is necessary for people working in palliative care.
Get Citation

Keywords

dying; religion; dignity of human

About this article
Title

The dignity of a dying human in different religions of the world

Journal

Advances in Palliative Medicine

Issue

Vol 8, No 2 (2009)

Pages

63-63

Published online

2009-03-30

Page views

544

Article views/downloads

2131

Bibliographic record

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2009;8(2):63-63.

Keywords

dying
religion
dignity of human

Authors

Anna Orońska

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