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Family and community visits
See points under the theme Family dynamics, decision making and community visits above.
Death-related religious rituals
Essential Practice Point 6
- Hinduism subscribes to a belief in samsara, the cycle of life, death and reincarnation, until liberation (moksha) is achieved. Death is a hugely significant life event signalling either the attainment of liberation or the continuation on the pilgrimage of life. There are particular rituals involved in preparing for death. These include reading passages from holy texts, using holy water from the source of the Ganges River in India and offering blessed food (prashad).
- In the event that death is imminent and family is not available, one of the contacts listed at the end of the section has indicated willingness to attend to the traditional death rituals and can be contacted for this purpose. They may also be contacted if the person has died without receiving traditional rituals and they will attend to the necessary practices.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
Customs to be observed at death
- Hinduism encourages family and mourners to not be excessive in their mourning so that the soul can leave and journey on. They are also encouraged to remember the deceased with happy thoughts as the soul will receive those positive thoughts.
- If the body has to be left alone, a light or a candle should be left burning (safely) near the head of the deceased as a mark of respect and to comfort their soul.
- It is practice for interment to take place within 24 hours. If there is a delay (for example if the death needs to be reported to the coroner) this needs to be explained to the family.
Cleaning and touching the body
Essential Practice Point 7
- Traditionally the family prepared the body according to customary practice; where family is available check their preference.
- In the event that family are conducting the customary preparation and are not immediately available, healthcare staff should only conduct essential tasks such as closing the eyes of the deceased, removing any tubes and cleaning any excretions.
- Where the person has no immediate family in Ireland, contributors have indicated that it is appropriate for healthcare staff to clean and wash the body.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
Postmortem requirements
- Most Hindus will not object to compulsory postmortems, providing all of the organs are returned to the body.
- A postmortem should be carried out as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made for interment to take place quickly.
