1. World Religions Revision Christian and Islamic beliefs and practices surrounding death

2. DEATH Is that it? Death is a fact of life: everyone must die at some time. Religions all have teachings about what happens at death and after it. They also have ceremonies and rituals to mark the passing away of the deceased.

3. Christianity: Belief that death is NOT the end and nothing to be afraid of. Eternal, everlasting life is received through faith and the grace of our loving, merciful God who sent Jesus who died that we might live. The body dies but the soul lives on in Heaven. On the last day, when Jesus comes again to judge the living and the dead, all the dead are raised to life. The afterlife is a spiritual existence; those redeemed through Jesus will go to heaven-where they will “see God/Love face to face” Life choices are very important – one acts through “free will” One must live a life of love towards others in order to go to heaven – Jesus (God) will judge peoples’ actions (eternal life or eternal punishment)

4. Entry into heaven: It depends on: how a person responds to Jesus and his teachings the way a person responds to those in need on earth

5. Christian Funerals: Resurrection is the main theme of the service – the priest wears white; a symbol of life after death and resurrection (Paschal candle -Resurrection of Jesus) Coffins are scattered with holy water, Baptism Readings from the Scripture & hymns are sung The dead person is remembered by the priest; family and friends are reminded of resurrection and eternal life in heaven Eucharist; Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Jesus is offered to God the Father and shared.

6. Committal; end of the service where the coffin is lowered into the ground or the coffin is lowered into the furnace Interment (burial into the ground); a cross or memorial stone is placed at the place of burial (cemetery) Cremation; ashes are scattered

7. Celebration Wake; gathering afterwards of family and friends to share in sorrow and loss and also to remember the deceased with hope-filled joy. This is a time supporting each other in sorrow Sharing food and stories, tears and laughter Remembering the happy times Planning for the days ahead with one another Thanking God for the life of the loved one

8. Death in Islam The Qur’an includes many teachings about akhirah or life after death. Muslims believe all that they do on earth will be judged and used in evidence on the Day of Judgement.

9. Allah knows the time of a person’s birth and death long before they are born No one lives or dies unless Allah allows it (the term of every life is fixed) Kindness is shown by sitting next to someone who is dying and reading from the Qur’an The dying person should lay facing Makkah The dying person should hear the shahadah; declaration of faith (One God Allah) The adhan; (call to prayer) should be the final words heard (as they are the first) Men who have been on hajj, have their white ihram (robe) draped over them

10. Entry into heaven: Angels have recorded a person’s deeds during their life (what they have done and believed) This will be used as evidence on the Day of Judgment (good go to heaven, bad go to hell) Hell and Paradise (heaven) are described in the Qur’an (Paradise is a beautiful garden while Hell is a terrifying place of heat and torment)

11. Muslim funerals: Imam leads the prayers in the Mosque and at the graveside Funeral should take place within 24 hours of death Body is buried in contact with the earth – NO CREMATION ALLOWED Ceremony must be simple Soul is released straight after death (taken by the Angel of Death) to a state of waiting until Judgement Day