“Prevention of Death Anxiety by Familiarity with the Concept of Death”

Minoo Asadzandi,Shuai Li

doi:10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-19-2947

Abstract

Objectives Death is the only definitive phenomenon in life, and everyone is sure that it will happen in the future. Based on the philosophical perspective, the concept of death differs in different cultures. The purpose of this study was “explaining the difference between the concept of death from the perspective of theology and empirical science”. Methods In this qualitative evolutionary study, a targeted review was conducted to answer the question “what is the difference between the concept of death from the perspective of theology and empirical science?” Articles published between 1990 and 2018 were extracted from the PubMed, science direct, google scholar, SID, and Cochrane databases. At the same time, Islamic religious evidence (Quran and Hadiths) was investigated for understanding the concept of the death in Islam. The “Shia Seminary” research methodology was used to avoid interpretations of the Quran verses and to ensure the authenticity of the Hadiths. Findings Empirical sciences consider death as a biological phenomenon, which results from irreversible damage to cerebral hemispheres and brain stem (brain death) that causes grief process, fear, anxiety, and sadness. From the perspective of Islam, death is an existential phenomenon, the transfer of the soul from one world to another. Death is the complete reception of the soul from the body by the angels and the beginning of another life, in the "world of grief. Conclusion Given that in Islam, death does not mean destruction. It is imperative that the spiritual counselors teach the patient and the family about the life after death and the blessings of paradise. In pastoral care at the end of life, reducing patients’ anxiety and fear of death, with hope in God's mercy is necessary.

Highlights

When prevention of death is impossible and the long term, medical treatment is not helpful, the palliative treatment staff try to help the patient with more comfort and pain relief [1]
It is imperative that the spiritual counselors teach the patient and the family about the life after death and the blessings of paradise
Religious evidences were taken from the verses related to death and dying time by using Book Al-Mu'ajm, authentic Shia commentary books, related reliable Hadiths based on Rejal and Derayeh (The science of identifying narrators of the hadiths of Shiite Imams and their accuracy in narrative)

Summary

Introduction

When prevention of death is impossible and the long term, medical treatment is not helpful, the palliative treatment staff try to help the patient with more comfort and pain relief [1]. The goal of end-of-life care is to provide the possibility of death with dignity and tranquility for the patient in order to make the family more relaxed [2]. Patient and family must spend their last days of life without fear, anxiety, grief and with less suffering [3]. Palliative treatment staff are obliged to recognize the concept of death. They should be able to listen with sympathy without judgment [4]. They must be aware of anxiety and fear of death and correct their point of view about death in accordance with the patients’ social culture and beliefs and reduce fear, anxiety of death [5]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion