fulfill your role, you have a responsibility to understand the dying person’s and family’s spiritual belief system, and to provide spiritual support that reflects their needs and beliefs. See page 58 for a description of different faiths and their traditions and practices related to death and dying. If you are uncertain about the family’s customs and rites – ask them. 4. KNOWING WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP When providing spiritual support, volunteers may sometimes feel out of their depth. They may not know all the answers or know how to cope with the person’s struggle. Remember: • Volunteers are not expected to have all the answers. • It’s enough to stay with the person in the conversation. • If you feel overwhelmed, talk to your supervisor or the pastoral care worker on the team.
Practices Related to Death
Religion
Philosophy/Beliefs
Aboriginal • Spirituality is a very personal thing. • Ceremonies and rituals are a
• Burial customs and traditions as well as mourning customs vary among cultural groups and from Aboriginal community to Aboriginal community. • It is important to seek guidance from the family members or elders in order to provide the most appropriate support.
manifestation of spirituality. Myth, ritual and ceremony are used at each stage of life to help adjust to a new spiritual transformation. • People believe in a Creator that provided laws to live by, which are internalized. In general these laws include: respect, honour, courage, kindness, sharing, acceptance and communication. • There is a strong belief in the unity of all things both animate and inanimate. • The concept of the circle of life,
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