There
was a time when birth and death were home-centered. Today,
the hospice movement helps Friends experience and understand the
role of family and friends during the time of impending death.
Meetings may find it appropriate to provide support to a dying
person, their family and close friends over an extended period
of time.
Support
from the Meeting may take the form of holding Meeting for Worship
at the home of the ill person or listening nonjudgmentally
to the wide variety of feelings that the seriously ill
person and their loved ones may express. It is always appropriate
to offer practical assistance such as food, housekeeping, childcare,
and shopping. Members of the Meeting may also help assure that the
necessary legal forms are in order, final arrangements have been
made, and respite care is available for the caregivers.
Meeting
representatives should make themselves available in an open and
reassuring way to respond to the spiritual needs of the
individual or the family. It is sometimes important to step in with
supportive help, without offending the family, when those most
closely involved are unable to make their needs known. It takes great
sensitivity and caring on the part of the helping Friends to be
appropriately supportive at this critical time.