Attempting to generalise in the Hindu patient is difficult. There is no single central authority or compliance with a single doctrine and so practices and traditions will vary greatly There appears to be a universal belief in reincarnation and karma. Life on earth is viewed as a transition between the previous life and the next one The family have a duty to assist the dying and to perform the last rites. Additionally, families may wish to protect their loved ones from the prognosis of death Suicide is frowned upon but some traditions state grounds for voluntary euthanasia to prevent extreme suffering; however, this is a controversial and poorly defined area Unnecessarily prolonging life when the prognosis is poor is viewed as interfering with karma and reincarnation Non-faith members are permitted to handle the body provided they are of the same gender
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