Spiritual care

Spiritual or pastoral support may be as important as symptom control when dying, regardless of religious background¹⁰.

You could ask a patient or their relatives ‘do you have a faith or community that helps you in times of difficulty?’ or ‘are there any spiritual rituals or customs you would like to have performed?’ It can sometimes help to suggest that ‘one of the chaplaincy team here can support you if you would find that useful’.

This open and sensitive approach invites the patient to direct any further steps as they see fit.

It is important to remember that certain artefacts or items of jewellery should not be removed after death in certain traditions, and that post-death rituals vary between religions²⁴. A dying Muslim patient may wish to sit or lie facing Mecca. In Hinduism, an oil lamp may be lit near the deceased immediately after death. In Buddhism, a large number of relatives may wish to gather for some time after death as viewing the body is a reminder of life’s impermanence. There may be cultural imperatives around a short duration between death and burial or cremation which may be affected if a post-mortem is required.

Sensitivity to these issues, while avoiding cultural stereotypes, can avoid adding to the distress of families.

Learning Bite

Sensitivity to spiritual and cultural needs can be as important as symptom control, to both the patient and their loved ones.