Culture report on dying client having diverse religious and Cultural background

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I am in my first clinical and the instructor has given as a research assignment. The research paper I must present in class with my clinical group is based on the Native American Indain. Our group each split 1 question out of 4. The question I received was.

State the culturally acceptable care of the body after death and the nurse's role of in the care of the body of the deceased. Indicate whether cremation or organ donation is acceptable.

Can anybody give me some feedback or websites on this particular question?

Thanks for your help

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

This will depend on the clan/nation. If there is a particular nation that you have in mind, I would contact your local Indian Center located in your community or try a website for that nation.

Generally however,

Death and dying:

May not wish to discuss terminal or DNR status, due to belief that negative thoughts hasten death.

Family may want to bring in tribal healers to attend to spiritual health of dying patient

Family may hug, touch, sing, wail, or shriek when grieving

Traditional practices using sweet grass smoke or other purifications

Woman may want to prepare and dress body

Family group may first stay with deceased,, followed by individual visitation

Inquire as to whether it is acceptable to prepare the body before individual visitation

May prefer to have the body oriented toward a certain direction prior to death

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Moved to Native American Indian (patient) Nursing forum.

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Indicate whether cremation or organ donation is acceptable.

Thanks for your help

As for organ donations, several clans/tribes believe that any part of their body that is missing, will not be with them in the next world. Because of this belief, alot of NAI will not donate organs.

Native

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

:balloons: hello, lcccstudentnurse and welcome to allnurses.com and the native american indian (patient) nursing forum:balloons:

my clan practices much as the jewish faith. very very rigid in regards to the body just before and after death.

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