Understanding Last Rites
By Sara Lancaster
When you hear the words “last rites” the image of a cloaked Catholic priest grasping a Bible and rosary in his hand may come to mind. You might also picture the priest hovering over a hospital bed to anoint a sick person with holy water all in an effort to save his or her soul.
While there is some truth to this image, the concept of last rites is different to different people. Sometimes this practice is quite simple involving only a basic prayer, while other religions require much more.
Here is a summary of the major religious faiths and their last rite rituals.
Buddhism
Buddhists aspire to have a clear mind and overall peaceful feelings at the time of their death. All visitors of the dying person are asked to be calm and reassuring. A Buddhist monk or nun may also visit and offer support. The support includes counseling and/or chanting of blessings and scripture.
Christianity
There are more than 35,000 Christian denominations worldwide each with their own version of last rites.
In Catholicism, when it is determined that a person is going to die a priest will administer last rites. This includes confession, penance and absolution, anointing the person’s forehead with oil, reciting prayers, and delivering the Eucharist.
Certain Christian denominations perform last rites very similar to the Catholic Church while others do not. In fact, some Protestants like the Methodist clergy are only called upon to offer counseling and prayer for the person who is about to die (and for the family – before and after the death).
Hinduism
In Hinduism there are no last rites before death, but a series of rites after death. Immediately after death, the body is bathed and placed on the floor. The room is lit by special lights while loved ones and a priest offer prayers, song, and special blessings both for the ancestors of the deceased, the deceased, and the living family members.
The body is usually cremated within 24 hours and the ashes are placed in a river. Rituals and prayers take place throughout the entire process, which takes up to 10 days. Additionally, a ceremony is held on the date of death in the years that follow.
Islam
When a person of Muslim faith is about to pass, a loved one will stay at his or her side to pray and counsel the sick person on the Islamic faith. After passing, the body is prepared for a funeral, which takes place that day or soon after. Before burial, the body is bathed and wrapped in white clothing. A prayer is also given over the body.
Judaism
With the Jewish faith, the Shma (prayer) and Vidui (confession) are said together before one passes. In many cases the person who is about to die may not be lucid enough or even conscious enough to complete the practice. In that situation all of those around the dying individual will recite the prayer.
Faith can play an important role when dealing with death. And last rites provide comfort, to all affected, during and after this major life transition.
