Culturally+competent+care+at+the+end+of+life-+A+Hindu+perspective

Shanmugasundaram, S., O'Connor, M & Sellick, K. (2010). “Culturally competent care at the end of life- A Hindu perspective”. End of Life Care, 4 (1), 26-31. Web.

This article is based on a study of Hindus living in Australia and the death practices that they follow during the dying phase. This article was written to educate nurses about the environment that they might come across while dealing with such patients which would make them ready in advance and hence they can treat the patients in a better way. It basically states how important role do family members play in a Hindu Family at the last stages. Moreover, it states that authority to make crucial decisions is always in the hand of elder and senior members of the family. Hindus consider water of the Ganges to be a symbol of purity hence the family members might request the hospital to serve the patient with that water and a few tulsi leaves when the patient is nearing the end of his life. This is believed to clean the soul. Furthermore, the patient is cleaned by a family member of the same gender and dressed in new clothes and ornaments before cremation. Hence, this article generally focusses to educate the nurses about various rituals they will come across while dealing with a Hindu patient.

This article is useful to me as it further gives me information about what environment generally surrounds a death in Hinduism, both in a hospital setting as well as home. Further, it makes me aware of the fact that sacred water of Ganges holds a key importance in this last stages and the Brahmin (priest) is also considered to be an integral part of this rituals. In conclusion, the article is a valuable resource. “In some families, when elders are diagnosed with any life-threatening illness, they talk to the son in advance about their wishes and the formalities that need to be followed during the dying phase and after death.” As noted above, Hindus consider the Ganges a holy river and its water sacred. The family may place a few drops of this water and a tulsi (basil leaf) into the mouth of the person who is dying. This action will purify the person. Their soul will rest in peace and they will attain the ‘moksha.’