- What are their fears?
- What are their hopes and expectations?
- What is their unfinished business?
Some of the fears the dying may face
- Loss of control
- Loss of personal identity
- Ceasing to be
- The unknown
- What happens after death
- Loss of relationships
- Incompleteness or lack of meaning in their lives
- Being a burden
- Loneliness
- The dying process itself
- will it be painflil?
- how long will it take?
- will I be abandoned?
- will I lose my dignity?
Some of the hopes and desires of the dying
- To get well and be productive again.
- To die with dignity and be surrounded by caring persons.
- To be able to maintain some degree of control.
- To be able to express their needs and feelings openly.
- To be able to manage their pain.
Some of the their unfinished business
- Seeing a significant person who is far away.
- Taking one more trip to…
- Completing an unfinished project.
- Providing for loved ones.
- Healing any estrangements; feeling forgiven.
Used by permission – American Academy of Bereavement
