geria lec

African Americans

May respond to news of death of a loved one by falling out (i.e., collapse, paralysis, and inability to see or speak)

Amish

Provide a wake-like “sitting up” during the night for seriously ill and dying family members.

Cubans, Filipinos, Mexicans

A large gathering of relatives and friends may attend the dying person and place religious artifacts around the person; candles are lit after death to illuminate the path of the spirit to the afterlife.

• Some, especially women, may have an ataque de nervios on hearing of the death of a loved one.

Japanese

Family members gather at the bedside at the time of death, with the eldest son having particular responsibilities at the time.

Koreans

Family members are expected to stay with the person who is dying and assist with care.

Vietnamese

Flowers are avoided during illness because they are usually reserved for rites of the dead.

Europeans

Believe that the dying person should not be left alone.

Haitians

Family members gather and pray when death is imminent and may cry uncontrollably; all family members try to be at the person’s bedside at the time of death.

Hindus, Indians

Priest and eldest son may perform death rites, with all male relatives assisting; women may respond with loud wailing.

Jews

Dying person should not be left alone; death rituals vary and some are not performed on the Sabbath or holy days

Muslim Groups

The bed should be turned to face the holy city of Mecca, family recites prayers from the Qur’an

Navajo Indians

It is taboo to talk about a fatal disease or dying; the issue needs to be discussed in the third person, as if it is occurring in someone else.

Puerto Ricans

• Death is perceived as a time of crisis; the head of the family (i.e., usually the oldest daughter or son) is responsible for receiving the news of death.

Christianity Amish

Plain simple without adornment (no eulogy, flower etc)

Jehovah’s Witnesses

No blood transfusion, members believe that the soul cannot live after the body has died.

Judaism

Life support should remain so until death, autopsy and cremation not allowed