This practical guide summarizes the principles of working with dying patients and their families influenced by the most common world religions.

Peter Hutton was Professor of Anaesthesia at Birmingham University, an Honorary Consultant at University Hospital Birmingham and a Medical Examiner. He is now a non-Executive Director of the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals.

Ravi Mahajan is Professor of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at Nottingham University, UK.

Allan Kellehear is 50th Anniversary Professor (End of Life Care), Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, UK.

Part 1: Belief systems in society and human history: interpretations of the mysteries of life and death

1. Introduction to death and religion in society

2. Faith, why people believe and the need for tolerance

3. The characteristics of a religion or belief system

4. The range of belief paradigms

5. What happens when we die?

6. The soul: what is it; where is it; and does it exist?

7. What does death mean to patients and their relatives?

8. Near-death experiences, deathbed visions and visions of the bereaved

9. The entanglement of religion, ethics and societal development

10. The uses and abuses of religion

Part 2: Managing death in different faiths and doctrines

11. An introduction to religions and belief systems

12. The landscape of religions worldwide and in the UK

13. The Baha'i faith

14. Buddhism

15. Chinese religions

16. Christianity

17. Hinduism

18. Islam

19. Jainism

20. Judaism

21. Rastafarianism

22. Secular philosophies and other belief systems

23. Shintoism

24. Sikhism

25. Zoroastrianism

Part 3: Legal aspects of death in the UK

26. Life and death as biological and legal constructs

27. Medico-legal issues at the end of life

28. The responses of professionals and relatives around death

29. Medical certification of the cause of death (MCCD)

30. The registration of death

31. Coroners and autopsies

32. The body after death

33. Disposal of the body

34. Life support, brain death and transplantation

35. Performing last offices

36. Less common circumstances

37. Death in Northern Ireland and Scotland

38. Future changes in England and Wales