Death in a Mission Hospital

Abstract

Medical missionaries may struggle with the proper understanding of their roles in the death of their patients. To better grasp a biblical concept of death, medical missionaries should understand God’s plan for death and also understand both God’s sovereignty and their own free will. Missionaries should prepare patients and their families for impending death while observing cultural sensitivity. Cultural objections to discussing impending death may be addressed by emphasizing the Christian understanding of earthly death and eternal life, and by honoring the passing of the believing patient.