Saudi Arabia is a country located in the Middle East with a growing healthcare system. Hospices in Saudi Arabia provide specialized care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on improving their quality of life and relieving symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore hospices in Saudi Arabia, local customs and practices when someone dies, and what to do when someone passes away.
Hospices in Saudi Arabia
Hospices in Saudi Arabia provide palliative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on improving their quality of life and relieving symptoms. Hospices in Saudi Arabia offer a range of services, including medical care, pain management, and emotional support for patients and their families.
There are different types of hospice care available in Saudi Arabia, including:
Inpatient hospice care: This type of care is provided in a dedicated facility and is suitable for patients who require 24-hour medical care and support.
Home hospice care: This type of care is provided in the patient’s home and is suitable for patients who wish to spend their final days in the comfort of their own surroundings.
There are several hospices in Saudi Arabia, including:
- King Abdulaziz Medical City: King Abdulaziz Medical City provides palliative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Local Customs and Practices When Someone Dies in Saudi Arabia
When someone dies in Saudi Arabia, there are certain customs and practices that are followed. These customs and practices may vary depending on the region and the family’s cultural and religious beliefs.
Death announcement: It is common for death announcements to be made through the mosque or in local newspapers, announcing the passing of the deceased and providing information about the funeral arrangements.
Funeral: Funerals in Saudi Arabia are typically held within 24 hours of the person’s passing. They are often elaborate affairs, with extended family and friends attending. Burial is the most common form of burial in Saudi Arabia.
Dress code: The dress code for funerals in Saudi Arabia is typically formal, with men wearing a thobe and women wearing an abaya.
Condolences: It is customary to offer condolences to the family of the deceased. This can be done in person, by sending a condolence card, or by making a donation to a charity.
What to do When Someone Dies in Saudi Arabia
When someone dies in Saudi Arabia, there are several steps that must be taken. Here’s what you need to do:
Contact the authorities: If the person passed away at home, you need to contact the police or a doctor. The authorities will come to the house and certify the death. If the person passed away in a hospital, the hospital staff will take care of this.
Register the death: The next step is to register the death. This can be done at the Civil Registry Office, and you will need to bring a copy of the death certificate with you.
Arrange the funeral: Once the death has been registered, you can start making arrangements for the funeral. You can choose to work with a funeral director or make the arrangements yourself.
Decide on burial: Burial is the most common form of burial in Saudi Arabia. You will need to make this decision when making funeral arrangements.
Notify family and friends: You should inform family and friends of the person’s passing as soon as possible. You may also want to consider placing a death announcement in a local mosque or newspaper.
Cancel services: You will need to cancel any services or subscriptions that were in the deceased person’s name, such as utilities or insurance policies.
Settle the estate: The deceased person’s estate will need to be settled. This may involve appointing an executor, paying any outstanding debts or taxes, and distributing any assets to beneficiaries.
Obtain a death certificate: You will need to obtain a death certificate from the Civil Registry Office. This document will be required for legal and administrative purposes.
Notify the embassy: If the person was a foreign national, you will need to notify their embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia.
Seek legal advice: If the deceased person had a will or other legal documents, you may need to seek legal advice to ensure that their wishes are carried out.
Attend to religious or cultural customs: If the deceased person had specific religious or cultural customs that they wanted to be observed after their passing, it is important to make arrangements to honor these traditions.
Consider grief counseling: Grief counseling can be helpful for family members and friends who are struggling to cope with the loss of their loved one. There are several organizations in Saudi Arabia that offer grief counseling and support services.
In conclusion, end of life care in Saudi Arabia involves specialized hospice care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, as well as following local customs and practices when someone passes away. When someone dies in Saudi Arabia, it is important to follow the appropriate steps, including notifying the authorities, registering the death, arranging the funeral, and settling the estate.