"Foreword by Dame Joan Bakewell"--Couverture

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Belief systems in society and human history : interpretations of the mysteries of life and death
Introduction to death and religion in society
Faith, why people believe and the need for tolerance
The characteristics of a religion or belief system
The range of belief paradigms
What happens when we die?
The soul : what is it; where is it; and does it exist?
What does death mean to patients and their relatives?
Near-death experiences, deathbed visions and visions of the bereaved
The entanglement of religion, ethics and societal development
The uses and abuses of religion
Part II. Managing death in different faiths and doctrines
An introduction to religions and belief systems
The landscape of religions worldwide and in the UK
The Baha'i faith
Buddhism
Chinese religions
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Jainism
Judaism
Rastafarianism
Secular philosophies and other belief systems
Shintoism
Sikhism
Zoroastrianism
Part III. Legal aspects of death in the UK
Life and death as biological and legal constructs
Medico-legal issues at the end of life
The responses of professionals and relatives around death
Medical certification of the cause of death (MCCD)
The registration of death
Coroners and autopsies
The body after death
Disposal of the body
Life support, brain death and transplantation
Performing last offices
Less common circumstances
Deaths in Northern Ireland and Scotland
Future changes in England and Wales

"This practical guide summarizes the principles of working with dying patients and their families as influenced by the commoner world religions and secular philosophies. It also outlines the main legal requirements to be followed by those who care for the dying following the death of the patient. The first part of the book provides a reflective introduction to the general influences of world religions on matters to do with dying, death and grief. It considers the sometimes-conflicting relationships between ethics, religion, culture and personal philosophies and how these differences impact on individual cases of dying, death and loss. The second part describes the general customs and beliefs of the major religions that are encountered in hospitals, hospices, care homes and home care settings. It also includes discussion of non-religious spirituality, humanism, agnosticism and atheism. The final part outlines key socio-legal aspects of death across the UK. Death, Religion and Law provides key knowledge, discussion and reflection for dealing with the diversity of the everyday care of dying and death in different religious, secular and cultural contexts. It is a ... reference for practitioners working with dying patients, their families and the bereaved."--

Provided by publisher

College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies Master of Arts in Philosophy

In English