There is nothing that makes a terminal diagnosis easy to bear. When you first learn that a loved one’s condition cannot be treated, you may feel as if your life has been thrown into a tailspin. As the focus shifts from treatment to managing symptoms and palliative care, you may begin thinking ahead to planning their final rest.
In some cases, your loved one may want to be involved in making their own funeral arrangements. In others, they may not have the time or energy to plan a funeral in advance, or you may wish to spend this time together without thinking about the funeral. That’s okay, too. Your funeral director and hospice team will be here for you when the time comes.
Planning Ahead, Together
As a person approaches the end of life, it’s natural for them to think about what comes after. Sometimes this means thinking about their final wishes and plans for remembrance. They may want to talk about their funeral or provide instructions for burial or where they’d like their ashes scattered.
These conversations, though challenging, can be a blessing. They allow you to reminisce and reflect on your loved one’s life and values. You have an opportunity to share memories and talk about things that are meaningful to them. If they are up for it, this could be a chance to select photographs for a slide show, pick out a song or verse for the service, or decide on a method of disposition with their input.
You can begin making arrangements with a funeral director right away so that the plan is ready when the time comes. Or, if you’d prefer, you can simply take this time to listen and write down your loved one’s final wishes.
What to Expect at the End of Hospice Care
No one is ever truly ready to lose a loved one, but knowing what to expect in their final days can help you prepare. Your loved one’s care team should be available to answer questions and provide guidance about their specific circumstances.
In general, if your loved one is being cared for in a hospice facility or nursing home, their end-of-life transition will be much the same as if they were in a regular hospital. Staff members will attend to their body, including removing any tubes or ports and perhaps washing and dressing them. They will also handle calling the funeral home and helping to arrange transportation.
If your loved one was receiving home care, you or a home health aide may be the person attending them at the time of their passing. Because their death is generally anticipated, there is no need to call the police or emergency services. Instead, you’ll just reach out to the hospice provider. The doctor or other medical professional assigned to your loved one’s care will handle the necessary paperwork and help guide you through the next steps.
At this time, if you wish, you can attend to your loved one’s body and spend some time saying goodbye at home. When you’re ready, call the funeral home to arrange for transport and begin the process of planning the funeral.
We Are Here to Support You
Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things you may ever endure. But you are not alone in this time. In addition to the support of friends and family members, you can lean on your hospice care team and funeral home staff for guidance through this difficult time.
Chapman Funerals & Cremations has served Cape Cod communities since 1862, and we have worked closely with many hospice care facilities and home health workers throughout our community. We are here to support your family through this transition and begin the process of healthy grief, mourning, and remembrance as you begin your path toward healing.
If you’re ready to begin planning, reach out to any of our Massachusetts funeral homes today.
Preplanning your funeral may feel daunting, but we’re with you every step of the way.