Making plans for the end of a loved one’s life can feel uncomfortable, especially in the wake of a terminal diagnosis. But some practical planning is beneficial, and “putting one’s affairs in order” can be reassuring to the patient and their family.
Practical matters
End-of-life planning is most effective when the patient is engaged in the process. If possible, take care of practical matters while the patient is physically and cognitively able to participate.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so the planning process will vary. It may include:
- Collecting important documents, passwords, and accounts, and organizing them for safekeeping.
- Meeting with bankers, lawyers, estate planners, or accountants to update documents and records.
- Discussing who should receive certain special possessions or care for a pet, and documenting those wishes.
- Talking about who will craft an obituary to be published after the death. The patient may wish to be involved.
If your or your loved one is receiving hospice care, members of the hospice team can assist by:
- Encouraging reflection on the patient’s life.
- Assisting them in making new memories.
- Guiding the end-of life planning process as it relates to medical care.
If requested, a member of the hospice interdisciplinary team can assist family members by helping them understand what steps and arrangements will need to be made following death. Some of these conversations may occur over the course of care, as hospice team members ask family caregivers and document plans that have been made.
After a death, the hospice nurse will visit the home (if not present at death), confirm the death, and complete the legal paperwork required for a death certificate. The hospice will submit the paperwork to the vital records office of a jurisdiction. Death certificates are available from the funeral director. This process can take several days or longer and can vary per state laws.
Mortuary services will pick up the body when loved ones are ready. State laws vary as to how quickly the body must be retrieved, and it is normal for families or loved ones to want to spend time with the deceased following death.
Helpful resources
Several websites offer free checklists to assist anyone with end-of-life planning, whether they are receiving hospice care or not. These two resources provide a comprehensive set of tools:
- The National Institute on Aging offers a list of the legal documents that should be in place before a loved one dies: Getting Your Affairs in Order Checklist: Documents to Prepare for the Future (nih.gov).
- AARP.org provides a vast amount of information, including a practical guide to everyday matters such as caring for pets, forwarding mail, and cancelling digital services after someone dies: Checklist for What to When a Loved One Dies (aarp.org).
Depending on your needs, some planning and organizational products that address practical end-of-life concerns are available online for a fee.
