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

Anna Orońska

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.

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.