
Death and Dying
Baptist, Church of Christ, Church of Scotland, Church of the Nazarene, Free Church of England, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian Brethren, Pentecostal, Plymouth Brethren, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, United Reformed
- There are many different Christian churches with differing structures, beliefs and rituals but the concept of one God who reveals Himself as a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit (the Trinity) is central to all Christian teaching.
- The sacred writings of Christian religion are in the Bible.
- A Christian’s individual faith and religious practice will be influenced by the tradition of the church to which they belong, as well as their own personal relationship with God.
- Easter and Christmas are important Feast Days.
- Free Churches do not conform to the Anglican or Catholic traditions.
- Patients may wish to see a Chaplain before an operation and to receive Holy Communion.
- They may request a Bible or wish to attend services in the Chapel.
- Holy Communion may take place on the wards or in the hospital Chapel.
- If a patient is in any kind of spiritual distress, the Chaplain may be called to offer comfort.
- There are no general dietary requirements.
- Prayers may be said at the bedside of the dying and sometimes it will be appropriate for the patient to be anointed. The close family must be asked.
- After death, the family may wish to gather around the bed to give prayers of thanksgiving for the person’s life.
- Always ask the patient/significant others if they would like to see the Chaplain or wish their local Minister to visit.
- Routine last offices are appropriate.
- There are no religious objections to blood transfusions, organ donations or transplants.
- There are no religious objections to Post Mortems.