Caring for dying Jewish people in a multicultural/religious society

Despite an increased emphasis on racial awareness in health-care settings, religious customs that disrupt routines still unsettle nurses and other health workers. Providing education about the beliefs of different ethnic minorities and the significance for the different parties of practising specific death-related rituals could both prepare nurses for what they may encounter and increase their understanding of the responses of patients and their relatives. This article explores Jewish beliefs and practices relating to caring for dying and recently deceased people as an example of such death-related rituals. It is suggested that nurses should not be afraid of asking direct questions about levels of religious observance of the relatives of the dying Jewish person. Good communication skills and an openness to accept differences are essential if nurses are to respond appropriately to reduce the distress bereaved people from ethnic minorities experience when carrying out religious practices.