Hindu religious practices vary a great deal, depending on areas of origin. Hinduism is a social system as well as a religion, therefore customs and practices are closely interwoven. It is therefore best to check with the patient and the family about particular requirements

Social and Religious Observations

Hindus prefer to wash in running water

Modest dress for men and women. Men must be covered from waist to knees.  Women do not expect to undress fully for medical examinations and prefer female medical staff.

Jewellery usually has a religious or cultural significance. Some Hindus wear a “Sacred Thread” over the right shoulder and around the body. None of these things should be removed or cut without the permission of the patient or the next of kin. They will be very reluctant to remove them and should not be asked to do so unless absolutely necessary. If the Thread has to be cut or removed it should be retained and given to the patient later.

Diet

Most Hindus do not eat meat. Some will not eat eggs/chicken. Dairy produce is acceptable, so long as it is free of animal fat. However, it is best to ask each individual. Vegetarian Hindus cannot eat from a plate on which meat has been served. Therefore it is not enough to simply to remove meat from the plate. This applies also to utensils that have been in contact with meat.

Fasting

This is usual for devout Hindus, particularly women. This means eating only “pure” foods such as fruits and yoghurt rather than complete abstinence. However, very few would insist on fasting when in hospital.

Care of the Dying

Hindu patients very much want to die at home. This has religious significance and death in hospital can cause great distress.

The patient’s family may wish to call in a Hindu priest to read from the Hindu holy books and to perform holy rites. These may include tying a thread around the wrist or neck, sprinkling the person with water from the Ganges, or placing a sacred Tulsi leaf in his or her mouth.

The family may also wish to bring money or clothes for the dying person to touch before distribution to the needy.

Death

Distress may be caused if the body is touched by non-Hindus. The family will usually want to wash the body at home. If no family are available, the following procedure should be followed:

• Wearing disposable gloves close the eyes and straighten the limbs.
• Jewellery, sacred threads and other religious objects should not be removed.
• Wrap the body in a plain sheet, without religious emblem.
• In most cases the body should not be washed as this is part of the funeral rites and will usually be carried out by relatives later.
• If there is to be a delay, e.g. because the death has to he reported to the coroner, this must be carefully explained to the family because it is their practice for the funeral to take place as soon as possible.
• If the family wish to view the body, staff should ask the mortician/porter to remove the Christian cross from the viewing room.

All adult Hindus are cremated.

Post Mortem, Organ Transplantation

Post mortems are viewed as distasteful.