title: Culture and palliative care.
abstract: In palliative care the notion of a good death is based on patients being fully aware of their diagnosis and prognosis. This does not necessarily reflect different social, cultural and spiritual beliefs. In the UK people from minority ethnic communities access fewer palliative care services. Staff often had difficulty managing basic needs such as communication with non-English speakers, the halal diet (that which is allowed in Islam), and the need for specific hygiene practices such as wudu (ritual washing preceding daily prayers) and istinja (washing with free flowing water after urination or bowel movement).