scholarly journals COVID-19: spiritual interventions for the living and the dead

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Clyde G Corpuz
Keyword(s):  
Healing Process ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Spiritual Support ◽  
Funeral Directors ◽  
Spiritual Interventions ◽  
Religious Interventions ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Bereaved Family

ABSTRACT In a recently published correspondence to the editor of this journal, the authors have called for a need to address the risk and dangers of preparing of funeral directors in handling the dead. This paper provides an urgent appeal to the medical community to include the issue of religious or spiritual interventions for the living and the dead. However, a question is raised: what kind and form of spiritual or religious interventions can the religious leaders come up with? The most immediate need is to provide care for those infected by the COVID-19, providing assistance in their healing process and giving spiritual support to the bereaved family members.

Changes experienced by and the future values of bereaved family members determined using narratives from bereavement life review therapy

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiyo Ando ◽  
Yukihiro Sakaguchi ◽  
Yasufumi Shiihara ◽  
Kumi Izuhara
Keyword(s):  
Healing Process ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Review ◽  
Family Roles ◽  
New Family ◽  
Grief Work ◽  
The Future ◽  
Life Review Therapy ◽  
Bereaved Family

AbstractObjectives:The goals of this study were to investigate the changes experienced by bereaved family members in Japan and to determine what activities they would value in the future based on narratives from a bereavement life review, which is a type of psychotherapy used to treat depression and promote spiritual well-being.Methods:The participants were 20 bereaved Japanese family members who underwent two sessions of bereavement life review over a period of two weeks.Results:Using qualitative analysis, we identified four areas of changes (“learning from the deceased's death and self-growth,” “healing process,” “relating with others,” “relating with society,” and “performing new family roles”) and five categories of valued activities (“continuing grief work,” “living with a philosophy,” “attaining life roles,” “keeping good human relationships,” and “enjoying life”).Significance of results:“Learning from the deceased's death and self-growth” and “relating with others” are common in Japan and Western countries, whereas “relating with society,” “healing process,” and “performing new family roles” are more characteristic of Japan. The strength of bonding with the deceased may influence the values of bereaved family members. We concluded that bereavement life review therapy can contribute positively to their grief work.

scholarly journals Changing landscapes of death and burial practices: public health response in time of COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Joseph D Sarmiento
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Burial Practices ◽  
Finding Meaning ◽  
Spiritual Interventions ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Dead

Abstract In a recent correspondence published in this journal, the author calls for spiritual interventions for the living and the dead that be considered by the medical community especially in the time of COVID-19. This paper further elaborates on the need to consider the death and burial practices of bereaved families of patients who died of COVID-19 with strict observance of health protocols. Death and burial practices are significant moments in finding meaning for bereaved families in accepting the demise of their loved ones during this pandemic.

“Our Dead are the Ultimate Teachers of Life”. The Corpse as an Inter-mediator of Transcendence

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-240
Author(s):  
Antje Kahl
Keyword(s):  
Death And Dying ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Spiritual Experiences ◽  
Dead Body ◽  
Funeral Directors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Funeral Director ◽  
The Dead ◽  
The Relationship

Today in Germany, religion and the churches forfeit their sovereignty of interpretation and ritual concerning death and dying. The funeral director is the first point of contact when death occurs. Therefore he or she is able to influence the relationship between the living and the dead. In the course of this development, the dead body, often referred to as dirty and dangerous, is being sanitized by funeral directors. Funeral directors credit the dead body with a certain quality; they claim that facing the dead may lead to religious or spiritual experiences, and therefore they encourage the public viewing of the dead – a practice which was, and still is not very common in Germany. The new connotation of the dead body is an example for the dislimitation of religion in modern society. The religious framing of death-related practises no longer exclusively belongs to traditional religious institutions and actors, but can take place in commercial business companies as well.

scholarly journals Course and predictors of posttraumatic stress-related symptoms among family members of deceased ICU patients during the first year of bereavement

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siew Tzuh Tang ◽  
Chung-Chi Huang ◽  
Tsung-Hui Hu ◽  
Wen-Chi Chou ◽  
Li-Pang Chuang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract Background/Objective Death in intensive care units (ICUs) may increase bereaved family members’ risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, posttraumatic stress-related symptoms (hereafter as PTSD symptoms) and their precipitating factors were seldom examined among bereaved family members and primarily focused on associations between PTSD symptoms and patient/family characteristics. We aimed to investigate the course and predictors of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members of deceased ICU patients by focusing on modifiable quality indicators for end-of-life ICU care. Method In this longitudinal observational study, 319 family members of deceased ICU patients were consecutively recruited from medical ICUs from two Taiwanese medical centers. PTSD symptoms were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 13 months post-loss using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Family satisfaction with end-of-life care in ICUs was assessed at 1 month post-loss. End-of-life care received in ICUs was documented over the patient’s ICU stay. Predictors for developing clinically significant PTSD symptoms (IES-R score ≥ 33) were identified by multivariate logistic regression with generalized estimating equation modeling. Results The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms decreased significantly over time (from 11.0% at 1 month to 1.6% at 13 months post-loss). Longer ICU stays (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.036 [1.006, 1.066]), financial insufficiency (3.166 [1.159, 8.647]), and reported use of pain medications (3.408 [1.230, 9.441]) by family members were associated with a higher likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members during bereavement. Stronger perceived social support (0.937 [0.911, 0.965]) and having a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order issued before the patient’s death (0.073 [0.011, 0.490]) were associated with a lower likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms. No significant association was observed for family members’ satisfaction with end-of-life care (0.988 [0.944, 1.034]) or decision-making in ICUs (0.980 [0.944, 1.018]). Conclusions The likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members decreased significantly over the first bereavement year and was lower when a DNR order was issued before death. Enhancing social support and facilitating a DNR order may reduce the trauma of ICU death of a beloved for family members at risk for developing clinically significant PTSD symptoms.

scholarly journals In loving memory of ‘us’: facing grief during the time of COVID-19 through redirecting perception of life’s realities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalmacito A Cordero
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Complicated Process ◽  
The Dead ◽  
The One

Abstract Recent correspondence highlighted the complicated process of grief in the time of COVID-19 where some family members and the dying person too are undergoing distress. New rituals can lighten the process of coping with grief or death, one may find it difficult to hurdle such situation and move on without first redirecting one’s perception on the different realities of life. There are things that we can control but at the same time, things that are beyond our reach. With these realities, acceptance plays a key role to handle the situation. Acceptance is a person’s assent to life’s realities. Creativity in accepting grief or death is finding ways to lighten the heavy emotion of the ‘ones left and the one leaving’ through a preservation of memory. This is done through safeguarding and reliving the memories of the dead with various programs and advocacies.

scholarly journals Support received by family members before, at and after an ill person’s death

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna O’Sullivan ◽  
Anette Alvariza ◽  
Joakim Öhlén ◽  
Cecilia Larsdotter
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Advanced Illness ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract Background It is widely recognised, that family members are central to care of people with advanced illness, and that support should be provided to all family members in need thereof. The aim of this study was to investigate family members’ experiences of support received during the last three months of life, at the time of death and after the death of a person with advanced illness. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional survey design was employed, using the VOICES(SF) questionnaire and multiple methods for data analyses. The sample consisted of 485 bereaved family members (aged: 20–90 years old, 70% women) of people who died in hospital between August 2016-April 2017. Results Of the family members, 58,8% reported they had received enough help and support during the illness, whereas 30,2% had not. Family members’ comments about support during the illness were mainly related to care the ill person had or had not received, rather than about support they themselves received. Of all family members, 52,8% reported having had enough support at the time of the ill person’s death. Related to support at death, 14,6% reported that the imminence of death was not clear, which was described as having affected their opportunity to be with the dying person at the time of death. Of all, 25,2% had a follow-up conversation after the death, 48% did not and did not want to, and 21% had no follow-up conversation, but would have liked one. A follow-up conversation was described as helpful for the bereavement process, and disappointment was expressed when not receiving support after the death. Conclusions Family members’ experiences of support were partly related to whether the ill person’s care needs were fulfilled. Healthcare staff expressing empathy and respect in the care of dying people and their family members were important for family members’ experiences of support. Family members’ difficulty recognising that death was imminent and the importance of healthcare staff providing them with clear information were expressed in connection with support at death. Follow-up conversations were valued by family members, especially if with a healthcare professional who was present at the time of death.

Religious Care Required for Japanese Terminally Ill Patients With Cancer From the Perspective of Bereaved Family Members

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Okamoto ◽  
Michiyo Ando ◽  
Tatsuya Morita ◽  
Kei Hirai ◽  
Ryo Kawamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Terminally Ill Patients ◽  
Bereaved Family

AN INDIGENOUS PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL GROUP FOR CHINESE BEREAVED FAMILY MEMBERS

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
CECILIA L. W. CHAN ◽  
AMY Y. M. CHOW
Keyword(s):  
Personal Growth ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Chinese People ◽  
Practice Model ◽  
Educational Group ◽  
Letting Go ◽  
Bereaved Family ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact

Detrimental effects of bereavement on physical, mental, social and psychological aspects of individuals can be found among bereaved Chinese. The authors have developed an indigenous practice model to work with bereaved family members among Chinese people in Hong Kong. The concept of bereavement was re-cast to include the idea that bereavement is a challenge that can aid in personal growth. Strategies were created to deal with the feelings of loss and separation positively. Programs in a "growth-oriented" psychosocial-educational group using multiple cognitive, behavioral and spiritual strategies were introduced. Throughout the sessions, messages of "Letting Go", "Self-Love", "Forgiveness" and "Transformation" were embedded in the programs by culturally relevant terms and concepts. A pre-group and post-group questionnaire as well as long interviews were used to evaluate the impact of the group on the participants. Participants of the bereavement groups showed significant improvements in somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, mood, self-acceptance, letting-go and transformation.丧亲会损害家人的身、心、情绪健康。笔者们共同设计了一套本地化「善别」概念为香港华人服务。「善别」的建立是基于「去者能善终、留者能善别」的信念，希望丧亲家人能「妥善处理别离的经验」，明白「死亡」是生命的蜕变，而善别、是成长的挑战」，以积极的态度去面对丧亲所引致的别离，以个人成长及独立训练作为回报亲人的关顾。「善别」辅导小组以身、心、灵全面介入，推介「舍得」、「惜自己」、「宽恕」、和「升华」等传统观念。透过小组前、后对比及访问方式搜集善别小组成效的证据。组员在参加小组之后均于身心、情绪、自我接纳、「舍得」及「升华」方面有正面的改善。

Late Referrals to Specialized Palliative Care Service in Japan

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 2637-2644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Morita ◽  
Tatsuo Akechi ◽  
Masayuki Ikenaga ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kizawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Kohara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Specialized Palliative Care ◽  
Palliative Care Units ◽  
Bereaved Family

Purpose To clarify the bereaved family's perceptions about the appropriateness of timing when physicians first referred patients to palliative care units, and to identify the factors contributing to family-perceived late referrals. Subjects and Methods A multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted on 630 bereaved family members of cancer patents who were admitted to palliative care units in Japan. A total of 318 responses were analyzed (effective response rate, 62%). Results Half of the bereaved family members regarded the timing of referrals to palliative care units as late or very late, while less than 5% of families reported early referrals (very late [19%, n = 59], late [30%, n = 96], appropriate [48%, n = 151], early [1.6%, n = 5], and very early [2.2%, n = 7]). Multiple regression analyses revealed that the independent determinants of family-perceived late referrals were: family belief before admission that palliative care shortens the patient's life, insufficient in-advance discussion about preferred end-of-life care between patients/families and physicians, families' insufficient preparation for changes of patient conditions, and hospital admission before referrals. Conclusion In Japan, the timing of referrals to palliative care units was late or very late from the families' perspectives. The independent determinants of family-perceived late referrals were: family misconception about palliative care, inadequate communication with physicians, and families' insufficient preparation for deterioration of patients' conditions. Systematic strategies to overcome these barriers would contribute to providing appropriate palliative care at all stages of cancer.

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