Dying and death from a Christian perspective

David Barnett

Chaplain

St John’s Hospice

Christianity

ChristianityThe Christian faith:I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven

and earth;And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was

conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead,he ascended into heaven; is seated at the right hand of God; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the holy catholic (universal) Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Where have we come from? - up until mid-1900s

• Framework: Christian for life and death, common faith understanding

• Dying and Death: at home, role of doctor to predict timing so could prepare to

meet Maker

• Concerns: future of my soul with God

• Funeral: in local church where baptised, confirmed, married; know priest, religious service

• Burial: in church graveyard, where all can visit

• Mourning: visible for all; black; acknowledged, shared, respected by all; in community

Where have we come from?- 1950s to 1970s

• Framework: religion increasingly private/individual; less Christian understanding; community starting to fragment where live/work/social; family spread in UK; other faiths

• Dying and Death: more medicalised/institutional, privatised; only 50% deaths at home

• Concerns: to live my life to the full, less on eternal future• Funeral:10% at crematorium(1947), 50% by 1968; not seen

as sacred, governed by public health; out of sight, only visit for death. Service limited to 20 minutes. Service more memorial, for mourners

• Mourning: Grief more personal, less part of community; more internal experience; losing norms of rituals

Where have we come from?- 1980s to 2000s

• Framework: wide range of faith understanding/practice; family support scattered; residual Christianity – still clergy main role in taking funerals.

• Dying and Death: medicalised, private, now 25% at home; little experience of reality of death

• Concerns: me; death a release from suffering; early death unfair; how will my family cope? Euthanasia?

• Funeral: 70% at crematorium, services longer (30 mins); ‘my’ funeral – plan; choice of music, readings, venue (woodland+); CoE choice 160pp

• Mourning: individual; black/no black; flowers/donations; personal – to ‘get over’; return to communal

shrines

So where are we now?• 78% Christian; 6% other faiths,

16% ‘no religion’ (2001 Census, 92% answered optional open question)

• Range of Christian denominations, not just CoE, RC, Methodist, Baptist etc

• Find wide variation in:importance of faith to individual individual knowledge/ways of

practicing their faith• About the individual, own choice

What may be important in illness and dying?

Prayer‘Our Father . . .’

Cross

Crucifix

Rosary

Prayer Book

Hymns Music

What may be important in illness and dying?

Bible Reading

What may be important in illness and dying?

Sacraments, RitualsHoly Communion

Sacrament of Sick (Last Rites)

Confession, Forgiveness, Reconciliation

Anointing, Blessing, Laying on of hands

Affirmation of Relationships

Commendation at end of life

Issues around death?After death: no specific requirements for

handling the body

Funerals: burial or cremation

Spiritual issues to do with death?• Concerns in reviewing life re. Confession,

Forgiveness, Reconciliation• Concerns re. After-life

- offer to refer to appropriate minister

So many people looking after Jack’s body, but who is looking after Jack?

NICE Guidance on Improving Supportive and Palliative Care (2004):

Ch.7 Spiritual Support

It is best practice!

Help?? Don’t be too afraid to do right for fear of doing wrong!

• Each an individual: own beliefs values, own way of practising faith

• Don’t pre-judge / presume

• Just ask: What would help? How best to help? Who best to help?

Dying and death from a Christian perspective

David Barnett

Chaplain

St John’s Hospicedavid@sjhospice.org.uk

Useful references, websites:

Neuberger, Julia Caring for Dying People of Different Faiths

(3rd Edn, 2004, Radcliffe Medical Press)

Billings, Alan Dying and Grieving (2002, SPCK)

www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/spiritualcare/resources

A Multi-faith Resource for Healthcare Staff

Spiritual Care Matters

Religion and Belief Matter

www.mfghc.com/resources

Multi-faith Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy

www.diversiton.com information by/about different faiths

www.ethnicityonline.net healthcare information for faith groups