Question

Compare and contrast the different cultural aspects of death. Analyze how these cultural tasks affect your nursing care.

Answer 1

Different cultural aspects of death :-

1. African-American

-care of body after death is dependent on African-American's country of origin and degree of American acculturation

-presence of large extended family groups (includ. church family) is common

-mourning period is short, with memorial service and public viewing of body or a wake before burial

-organ donation and autopsy allowed

2. Chinese

-death = negative life event, no concept of an afterlife

-the dead are treated with the same respect as the living and may be buried with food and other artifacts

-members of extended family usually stay with deceased for up to 8 hours after death

-oldest son/daughter bathes the body under direction of an older relative or a temple priest

-often believe body should be intact --> organ donation and autopsy are uncommon

3. Hispanic or Latino

-honoring family values/roles is essential in providing care and making decisions at the end of life

-often use amulets or rosary beads, alternative healing practices (fold medicine), and prayer

-grief is expressed openly

-religious and spiritual rituals (predominantly Catholic) are essential at the end of life

-death is believed to be God's will

4. Native American

-encompass diverse tribal groups with differing practices, traditions, and ceremonies

-traditional Navajos don't touch the body after death

-care to the body in large Navajo tribe includes cleansing of body, painting the deceased's face, dressing in clothing, attaching an eagle feather to symbolize a return home

-mourners have a ritual of cleansing their bodies

-dead are buried on the deceased's homelands

5. Islamic

-the deceased's body is ritualistically washed, wrapped, cried over, prayed for, and buried as soon as possible after death

-eyes and mouth are closed, and the face of the deceased is turned toward Mecca

-same gender prepare the body for burial

-bodies are buried, not cremated

-autopsies interfere with quick burial; make autopsy requests with sensitivity and only if necessary

-proximity of loved ones after death is important bc it's believed that the soul stays with the body until it's buried

-organ donation is allowed by some Qur'an interpretations

6. Buddhist

-believe in an afterlife in which humans manifest in different forms

-death is preferred at home, person's state at the time of death is important

-individuals minimize emotional expressions and maintain peaceful, compassionate atmosphere

-male family members prepare the body

-don't touch the body after death, gives the deceased a smoother transition to the afterlife

-family and friends pay respects after death and before cremation of the body

7. Hindu

-the body is placed on the floor with the head facing north

-people of same gender handle body after death

-no general prohibitions against autopsy

-bodies are cremated after death to purify by fire

8. Jewish

-Orthodox Judaism: determine if members from Jewish Burial Society are coming to facility before prepping the body

-a family member stays with the body until burial

-usually the burial occurs within 24 hours but not on the Sabbath

-some, but not all, types of Judaism avoid cremation, autopsy, and embalming

#. Nurses should always provide a culturally competent care. Cultural competence has five aspects. They include cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, cultural encounter, and cultural desire. Cultural knowledge is seeking and obtaining information regarding different cultural and ethnic groups.

All the cultural tasks affect the nursing care only if the care provided is not a culturally competent care so it's always encouraged to provide a culturally competent care .