National Origin of Your Client/Family Rites When Death Occurs
Egypt (population 94% Muslim) Muslim rites
Ethiopia (population 45% Muslim, 35% Ethiopian Orthodox, 20% Animist and other)
Muslim rites Loud wailing may be a normal grief reaction
France (population 90% Catholic) Chrysanthemums used exclusively for funerals
Germany (population predominantly Christian)
Crying in private is expected Cremation may be selected
Greece (population 98% Greek Orthodox)
May isolate dying person and withhold truth Death at home important Person buried; exhumed in 5 years and bones reburied in urn or vault Widow wears dark mourning clothes for rest of life
Haiti (population 80% Catholic, 10% Protestant, 10% Voodoo)
Burial in 24 hours White clothing represents death
India (population 83% Hindu, 11% Muslim, 6% other)
Non-Hindus ought not touch body; wash body themselves Cremation is preferred Reincarnation is a Hindu belief
Indonesia (population 88% Muslim) Muslim rites
Iran (population 98% Muslim) Muslim rites Mourning may be loud, obvious, and expressive
Iraq (population 97% Muslim) Muslim rites
Ireland (population 94% Catholic) Practice of watching or “waking” the dead originates from keeping vigil to keep evil spirits away from the deceased—now a religious ritual
Israel (population 83% Jewish) Relatives remain with dying person Eyes must be closed at death Body is never left alone Buried in ground in 24 hours except if Sabbath (Saturday)
Italy (population 99% Catholic) Before death, fatal diagnosis is not discussed with patient and family
Japan (population 84% Buddhist) Control public expressions of grief
Jordan (population 95% Muslim) Muslim rites
Korea (North) (population 95% atheist) Confucian funeral—elaborate Chief mourner and relatives weep
Korea (South) (population 72% Buddhist and Confucianist, 28% Christian)
Buddhists accept death as birth into another life
Table 6–6 continued