Reflection

Part 1
I am Vietnamese, and my family and culture view death as a time to pay their last
respects to death, and this mat go on for days. We believe that the sound of the dead will
continue living even after death. Thus, having a decent funeral is necessary to usher them into
the next phase of life. We believe that if the required actions during the funeral are not taken,
then the dead person’s ghost will remain on earth. This is not a good scenario as it is believed
that the ghost will haunt and even cause harm to the living embers of the family. Funerals are,
therefore, multi-day events in my culture, and they involve many rituals that are carefully
conducted as per our customs.
This cultural heritage would influence my dying process and last wishes. According to
Santrock, J. W. (2018), cultural variations and beliefs characterize the process of dying. As such,
as I go through my dying process, my Vietnamese cultural beliefs would influence my last days
on earth. I would dress in white clothing for most of the days. According to our customs, the
dead person is dressed in traditional white clothing. Although I would not dress in this specific
traditional clothing yet, I would prefer to wear my clothes that are white and acquire more in
case I do not have enough. Further, I would request my friends and family to visit so that we can
spend the last days together. During a Vietnamese funeral, friends and family visit to pay their
respects. They also carry white flowers, money, food, and incense. I would ask for my white
flowers while still alive. Since I will be well aware of my dying process, I would love to enjoy
these gifts while I still live. Thus, instead of bringing the white flowers to the funeral, my wish
would be to have mine while I can still enjoy their scent and their beauty.

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My family communicates about death in different ways. First, they communicate one-on-
one, especially when communication is being done to a person who was very close to the
deceased. The member is offered support. Other family members and friends are passed the
message via phone, either through phone calls or through text messages. Communicating with
loved ones about the dying process helps prepare them psychologically and ensure they are ready
by the time the actual death occurs. It is also a way of making wishes, especially when the
communication is made by the dying person.
Part 2
I believe that the dead continue living in another world. Thus, even when they are dying,
they deserve proper care to ensure they die with dignity. When working with a dying patient, I
would provide support by helping relieve symptoms. I will also help them meet emotional and
spiritual needs if needs be, as this will help them ensure they fulfil their wishes on their last days
on earth. Comfort care is very important to a patient who is at the end of life (Field & Cassel,
2010). A peaceful death free from pain may mean something to a dying person. As a healthcare
professional, I would ensure that the patient dies peacefully or at least lives their last days on
earth peacefully and with minimal pain or discomfort. According to Carr & Luth (2016), most
people die away from families. In such circumstances, all they have is a medical professional,
and it is important to provide all the acre possible to ensure that the dying process is easy on
them.
I would guide the family of the patient in making their wishes known to both the medical
teams as well as to the family members. I will then help family members ensure that they meet
the wishes of the individual. When some people are at the end-of-life stage, all they want is o be
surrounded by loved ones; family members and friends, have their wishes followed and be

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treated respectfully (Field & Cassel, 2010). When a person is dying, they desire care in terms of
emotional and mental needs, practical tasks, physical comfort, and spiritual issues. As a
healthcare professional, I would provide care in the areas where I can and guide family members
on what to do to ensure that the patient receives optimal care and is content with their life.
Overall, many times a person at the end of life knows that they have limited time and that
they are dying. They want to feel supported and comforted. When taking care of a person at this
stage of life, it is important to allow them to take the lead. They should feel in control at least of
their last days on earth. Additionally, they may feel the need to keep talking about all their big
and memorable events, their successes and achievements in the past. It is important to give them
an audience and listen to them as they reminiscence about the good old days. In some instances,
they may want to just sit around their loved ones with little or nothing much to say. When this
occurs, it is important o just sit by their bedside in silence, provide some light communication, or
just a light touch as a way of comfort and support. Overall, during the dying stage, it is important
to be surrounded by loved ones and supportive people.

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References

Carr, D., & Luth, E. (2016). End-of-life planning and health care. In Handbook of aging and the
social sciences (pp. 375-394). Academic Press.
Field, M. J., & Cassel, C. K. (2010). Approaching death: improving care at the end of
life. Palliative care: Transforming the care of serious illness, 79.
Santrock, J. W. (2018). Life-span development.