In the first hundred days after the death, food was presented on the altar before each meal. My cousins sent word to all those who were special to uncle to come and say goodbye. My aunt, cousins, and the older grandchildren sobbed bitterly and were reluctant to leave the gravesite. Traditional beliefs With the perception that anything that owns a soul, the ancient Vietnamese have worship many gods, especially those related to agriculture such as the sun, the moon, the earth, the forest , the river and the mountain... for their peace. As they went from grave to grave, they felt more at peace with the thought that uncle would be in good company, so to speak. Plants, animals and man are believed to have souls. Although many death rituals are burdened with rules and can be costly, the long-term effects they may have on participants are far from etherial. Indian influence is most evident among the Cham and Khmer minorities. Phạm Công Sơn, (1996) a Vietnamese anthropologist, said, “Death is not the end but is the final stage of one life to be transformed into another.” He also asserted that death rituals provide the bereaved with a chance to fulfill their filial obligations to the deceased. It is much more interdependent and tight-knit than what many Western cultures are familiar with. Further, Vietnamese immigrants in the United States are influenced by spiritual beliefs linked not only to Catholicism or Buddhism, but also to Taoism, animism, and Confucianism. Generally, it is two years for immediate family members. Relatives and friends who came to pay their respects stood in front of the altar, burned incense, and quietly said a prayer for uncle or said goodbye, or had whatever private conversation they wished to have with uncle at that moment. Before closing the lid of the coffin, the family had another opportunity to see uncle for the last time. an aversion to dying in the hospital because of the belief that souls of those who die outside the home wander with no place to rest. Here was yet another chance for mourners to say goodbye, and another outpouring of grief occurred. Most stayed at least long enough to say their condolences and chat. The only thing not acceptable would have been laughing. In reality, a culturally proper funeral is more than an empty gesture to the dead, it helps the living to grieve and go on with life. These rituals communicate the social values of communal responsibilities. Vietnam - Vietnam - Ethnic groups: Vietnam has one of the most complex ethnolinguistic patterns in Asia. The burning of mourning clothes signifies the incorporation of the bereaved into the normal course of life. We spent most of the time with each other. After that, on every special occasion, the ritual of sharing food is repeated: the family invites uncle to enjoy the food that they eat to show he is still a part of their lives. Rice is a staple of the region. The family took turns keeping a vigil over the body at all times. In Vietnam Spiritual Life Vietnamese people have long believed in the existence of a supernatural world. Harborview Medical Center and UW Medicine will not be liable for any complication, injuries or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon information on this website. In a study conducted in Hawaii by Braun and Nichols (1996), both Christian and Buddhist Vietnamese participants said that preparations for death included praying and preparing wills for distribution of property. The whole community; family, relatives, friends and neighbors, got together and renewed ties. Not … related activities are looked down upon. These include: an aversion to dying in the hospital because of the belief that souls of those who die outside the home wander with no place to rest, Meanwhile, in the city, everything is much different. Some Vietnamese families may also prefer that the diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness not be disclosed directly to an older family member to prevent additional stress for the older adult, making informed consent and decisions regarding code status awkward. Since I am a nurse, I searched all over town for some morphine to relieve his pain. The coffin remained in the family home for three days, and relatives, in-laws, neighbors, and colleagues of my aunt, uncle, and cousins came and paid their respects. The cohesiveness and health of the family unit is often a main imperative. Even though Vietnamese older adults may prepare for the rituals of death, active end-of-life care planning is a foreign and unfamiliar undertaking for most Vietnamese families. Any medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctors. Disclaimer: EthnoMed is designed for educational purposes only and is not rendering medical advice or professional services. Besides that, ancestor worship is another tradition of Vietnamese; there are shrine and altar of a family ancestor in every home, even for people with Catholics beliefs as long as there are no … The coffin was lowered into the grave and buried. Most guests left shortly after the burial to return to uncle’s home for the feast. It was reported in the Hawaii study that few Vietnamese older adults were aware of their options with regard to advance directives. Clinicians are privileged to meet people at a time of crisis in their lives and provide expert assistance. These religious and cultural/societal norms influence Vietnamese views of death, allowing them to reframe the process and the event. On the west, Vietnam is bordered by Laos and Cambodia, and to the north, lies China. Issues surrounding death and dying are always difficult regardless of cultural background, but attitudes toward end-of-life issues are diverse among different cultural backgrounds. A cousin who is a doctor came daily to take uncle’s blood pressure and give medical advice. There exist spirits and deities who controlled everything and exerted a great influence on the course of human life. There were often conversations with uncle, who was symbolized by his photograph on the altar, on these occasions. All the grandchildren were present and they all cried, even the eighteen month old baby. Soy sauce, fish sauce, mint, and basil are popular ingredients. The author performed a literature review and incorporated published literature, interviewed health care providers experienced in end-of-life care, and drew from her own clinical experience. The transition period for the bereaved has ended. https://ethnomed.org/resource/death-rituals-in-vietnamese-society After a short ordination, the abbot gave her a certificate of Three Refuges. Vietnamese cuisine is appreciated across the world. Removing the coffin from the home was another emotional peak in the ebb and flow of grief.
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