End-of-Life Issues

End of Life Issues

General

A Guide To First Steps Actions to consider for anyone facing a serious or terminal illness.
Activities For The Dying Suggestions to help you and your loved get the most out of his or her final days.
Dying As A Spiritual Event While many see the dying process as a medical event, its spiritual aspects can be a great source of comfort to both the dying person and his or her loved ones.
How To Be With A Dying Person A guide to helping a loved one through his or her final days.
Legislating The Right To Die A look at Oregon’s controversial Death with Dignity Act, the world’s first official state-sponsored physician-assisted suicide law.
Preparing For The Death Of A Loved One The impending death of a loved one is always a difficult emotional time, but knowing what to expect during a loved one’s final days can help you prepare to handle the event.
Taking A Spiritual Inventory As death approaches, it’s natural to take spiritual stock of one’s life.
Talking About Death If your loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal disease, talking about death and his or her final wishes is one of the most difficult tasks you will face as a caregiver.
Terminal Sedation For persons in extreme pain, terminal sedation—medications that induce sleep until death occurs—may ease suffering as the dying process runs its course.
The Role Of Family Caregivers Family caregivers can play many different roles in the dying process.

Funeral Planning

Burial Or Cremation? A checklist of the basic advantages and disadvantages of burial and cremation.
Choosing A Cemetery Plot A checklist of issues to consider when your loved one is choosing a cemetery plot.
Choosing A Vault Or Liner Some basic information on vaults and liners.
Funeral Costs A look at some of the costs involved when planning a funeral.
Funeral Planning Checklist A list of issues to consider when planning a funeral.
Funeral Planning Checklist - Detailed Form As your loved one makes his or her funeral plans, use this form to record all of his or her wishes for final arrangements.
Funeral Planning: Personal Information A form to help you record important personal information for use in planning a funeral, informing friends and relatives, and writing an obituary.
Letters Of Last Instructions As you discuss funeral plans with your loved one, he or she might want to prepare a letter of last instructions—a document that outlines funeral arrangements and other important matters.
Planning A Funeral By pre-planning your funeral, you can save your loved ones a tremendous amount of emotional and financial burden.
The Importance Of Funerals When someone dies without leaving specific instructions, many people opt not to hold a funeral. Before making such a decision, however, consider the role that funerals play in the grieving process.

Grief or Loss

Are You Grieving? A checklist of the physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms of grief.
Coping With Grief Some suggestions to help you cope with the loss of a loved one.
Helping Another With Grief If your loved one is grieving—because of the loss of a spouse, friend, or family member—these ideas may help you care for him or her during a difficult time.
Helping People With Bereavement Grief has been called the “sorrow of the soul.” Grief over death or separation is a fundamental human experience, yet the pain experienced in bereavement excludes no one.
Helping Teenagers Cope With Grief and Loss Our experts answer your questions about grief and loss.
Psychological Responses To Loss A look at the most common psychological and emotional responses to loss.
Recovery Signs The grieving process is different for everyone, but there are some general signs that can help you know when you are recovering from grief.
The Grieving Process While everyone handles grief in different ways, there are four common steps to the grieving process.
Understanding Grief and Loss Some general guidelines for dealing with grief and loss.
Writing A Condolence Note Writing a condolence note can be extremely difficult. If you have trouble putting your feelings regarding a recent loss in words try following the tips below.

Hospice

Hospice Basics A look at the members and goals of a typical hospice care team, as well as information on hospice patients and ways to pay for hospice care.
Hospice Care: Q & A One of FamilyCare America’s experts answers your questions about hospice care.
Hospice Vs. Palliative Care The differences between hospice and palliative care.
Questions About Hospice Care A checklist of questions to ask as you try to find the right hospice service for your loved one.
The Hospice Foundation Of America The HFA’s website includes hospice information and links to hospice services across the United States.
Volunteering In Hospice Hospice volunteers provide much-needed support and comfort to dying people and their families.
What Is Hospice? Some basic information about hospice care.
What Is Palliative Care? Much like hospice care, palliative care programs focus on keeping terminally ill patients comfortable, while helping patients, family members, and caregivers cope with the dying process.