💛 You just found out. Start here.
When someone you love has a terminal illness, it doesn't come with instructions. This page walks you through the journey step by step — from understanding what hospice is, to caregiving at home, to what happens after. Scroll at your own pace, or use the timeline above to jump ahead.
Every guide below is grounded in the same evidence that clinicians use, written in language that doesn't require a medical degree.
START HERE
Where are you right now?
2
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Understanding Hospice
What it is, what it covers, and your rights as a family.
Inside this guide
- What hospice is (and what it is not)
- The 4 levels of hospice care
- Your hospice team and their roles
- What Medicare covers at $0 cost
- How to qualify and who can refer
- Your rights as a hospice family
⚖️
Your Rights as a Hospice Family
You have more power than you think. Here's what you can ask for, what's covered, and what to do if things aren't working.
💰
What Medicare Covers
- Doctor and nurse visits
- All medications for the terminal illness
- Medical equipment (hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen)
- Medical supplies (bandages, catheters, gloves)
- Hospice aide and homemaker services
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Social worker services
- Dietary and spiritual counseling
- Short-term inpatient care for symptom crises
- Respite care (up to 5 days so you can rest)
- 13 months of grief/bereavement support after death
Your cost: $0 for most services. Up to 5% copay for inpatient respite care.
Source: Medicare.gov
🔄
You Can Change Providers
- You can fire your hospice and transfer to another provider at any time
- You can request a different nurse, aide, or social worker
- You can change hospice providers once per benefit period
- The transfer must happen in a timely manner — they cannot delay it
- Equipment, medications, and care continue without interruption
- Even in a nursing home, you choose your hospice — not the facility
To switch: call your current hospice and request a transfer form. Your new hospice will handle the rest.
Source: Compassus
📋
You Can Always Ask For
- A family meeting — with the full hospice team to discuss the plan of care
- Continuous care — a nurse at the bedside up to 24 hours during a crisis
- Respite care — 5 days in a facility so you can sleep, travel, or rest
- Chaplain or social worker — even if you haven't been assigned one, you can request visits
- To see the plan of care — it's your right to know the plan and to disagree with it
- A different medication approach — if something isn't working, say so
- To leave hospice — you can revoke hospice at any time and return to curative care
You are the decision-maker. The team works for you.
📞
If Something Is Wrong
- Talk to the hospice patient advocate or administrator first
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to file a complaint
- Contact your state health department's hospice licensing division
- Request a copy of the Patient Bill of Rights — every hospice is required to give you one
You deserve quality care. Advocating for your loved one is not being difficult — it's being a good caregiver.
Source: Medicare Hospice Benefits (CMS)
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Advance Directives
The legal documents that protect your loved one's wishes.
Inside this guide
- What advance directives are
- Living will explained
- Healthcare power of attorney
- POLST / MOLST forms
- DNR in plain language
- How to start the conversation
📋
Advance Directives — Planning Ahead
The legal documents that make sure your loved one's wishes are honored — even when they can no longer speak for themselves.
📝
What Are Advance Directives?
- Living Will — A legal document stating what medical treatments someone does or doesn't want
- Healthcare Power of Attorney (DPOA) — Names a person to make medical decisions when the patient can't
- POLST/MOLST — A physician-signed medical order for life-sustaining treatment
- DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) — A medical order instructing not to perform CPR
These documents work together. Having all of them gives the clearest picture of your loved one's wishes.
⏰
When to Have the Conversation
- Now. The best time is before a crisis — not during one
- While your loved one can still speak clearly and make decisions
- Before a hospitalization or surgery, if possible
- When starting hospice — the social worker can help facilitate this
- It's never "too early" — and it's rarely too late
This conversation is a gift to your family. It removes the burden of guessing.
✅
How to Get Them Done
- Ask your hospice social worker — they do this regularly and can guide you
- Use free state-specific forms from Five Wishes or PREPARE
- Most states require two witnesses and/or notarization
- Give copies to: the healthcare proxy, the doctor, the hospital, and the hospice
- Keep the original somewhere accessible — not in a safe deposit box
You do not need a lawyer for most advance directives.
Source: National Institute on Aging
💬
How to Start the Conversation
- "I want to make sure we honor what you want — can we talk about it?"
- "If you couldn't speak for yourself, what would matter most to you?"
- "What would a good day look like? What would you want to avoid?"
- "Who do you trust most to make decisions for you?"
It doesn't have to be one big conversation. It can happen over several small ones.
4
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Caregiving at Home
Practical day-to-day guidance for caring for your loved one.
Inside this guide
- Setting up the home for comfort
- Bathing, turning, and skin care
- Managing eating and hydration changes
- What to do when symptoms change
- When to call hospice vs. 911
- Daily caregiver checklist
📋
Download PDF
Daily Caregiver Checklist
A simple daily tracker to help you remember what happened, what was given, and what to tell the nurse. Print it out and keep it by the bedside.
Date
Patient
😣
Pain & Comfort
Pain level (0–10)AM: ___ PM: ___
Where is the pain?
Restless or agitated?☐ Yes ☐ No
Comfortable / sleeping peacefully?☐ Yes ☐ No
💊
Medications Given
MedicationTimeHelped?
__________________☐ Y ☐ N
__________________☐ Y ☐ N
__________________☐ Y ☐ N
__________________☐ Y ☐ N
🥤
Food & Fluids
Ate anything?☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Sips only
Drinking fluids?☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Sips only
Swallowing OK?☐ Yes ☐ Difficulty ☐ Unable
📝
Body Functions
Bowel movement?☐ Yes ☐ No
Urinating?☐ Normal ☐ Less ☐ None
Skin changes? (color, sores)☐ Yes ☐ No
💭
Mood & Awareness
Alert / responsive?☐ Yes ☐ Some ☐ No
Confused or seeing things?☐ Yes ☐ No
Anxious or fearful?☐ Yes ☐ No
Overall mood
🩺
Nurse Visit & Notes
Nurse visited today?☐ Yes ☐ No
What the nurse said:
Questions for next visit:
💡 Tip: Print several copies and keep them by the bedside with a pen. When the nurse calls or visits, you'll have everything in one place.
📞
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When to Call — Hospice vs. 911
Knowing who to call — and who NOT to call — can prevent unwanted interventions and get your loved one the right help fast.
✅ CALL HOSPICE
Your hospice number — available 24/7
- Uncontrolled pain — medications aren't working, or pain is getting worse
- New or worsening symptoms — fever, vomiting, bleeding, new confusion
- Breathing changes — shortness of breath, noisy breathing, long pauses
- Falls — even if they seem OK, the nurse needs to assess
- Medication questions — "Can I give another dose?" "It's not working" "I spilled it"
- Comfort kit is running low — the nurse can arrange refills
- Equipment problems — hospital bed, oxygen, suction machine
- You're not sure what's happening — if something feels wrong, call. That's what they're there for.
- You're overwhelmed — they can send help, arrange respite, or just talk you through it
- After death occurs — call hospice first. There is no rush. The nurse will come to you.
🚫 DO NOT CALL 911
Unless there is a safety emergency unrelated to the illness
- When death occurs — paramedics are legally required to attempt resuscitation. Call hospice instead.
- When they stop eating or drinking — this is expected. The hospice team is managing it.
- When breathing changes — irregular breathing, pauses, and the "death rattle" are part of the dying process.
- When they become unresponsive — this is a natural progression. Call your nurse, not 911.
- When they have a fall (unless you suspect a broken bone you can see) — call hospice for assessment.
- When they seem confused or agitated — this is terminal restlessness. Your nurse has medications for this.
Why this matters: If you call 911, paramedics must follow emergency protocols — which may include CPR, intubation, and transport to the ER. These interventions can cause suffering and go against your loved one's wishes. Your hospice team is trained for exactly these situations.
⚠️ EXCEPTIONS — When 911 IS Appropriate
- Fire or gas leak in the home
- Caregiver medical emergency — if YOU are having a heart attack, stroke, or medical crisis
- Violence or intruder — a safety threat to anyone in the home
- Natural disaster — flood, tornado, or structural collapse
These are emergencies where the patient's hospice status is not relevant. In these cases, call 911 AND your hospice team.
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Comfort Meds & Pain Management
Understanding the medications and how to keep them comfortable.
Inside this guide
- Understanding pain at end of life
- Common pain medications explained
- Morphine myths debunked
- Non-drug comfort measures
- How to manage breakthrough pain
- When and how to give rescue doses
💊
Download PDF
The Comfort Kit — Medications Explained
Your hospice team may leave a small kit of medications at home for fast symptom relief. Here's what each one does, in plain language.
12 medications
Morphine
(Roxanol)
Liquid concentrate
What it's for
Pain and shortness of breath
How it's given
By mouth or under the tongue — works in 15–30 minutes
"Will it hasten death?"
No. When properly dosed, morphine relieves suffering without hastening death. The dose is carefully adjusted by your hospice team. The goal is comfort — not sedation.
Lorazepam
(Ativan)
Liquid or dissolving tablet
What it's for
Anxiety, restlessness, trouble sleeping, seizure prevention
How it's given
By mouth, under the tongue, or as a dissolving tablet
"Will they be too sedated?"
The dose is adjusted to relieve anxiety while keeping your loved one as alert and comfortable as possible. If they seem too drowsy, tell your nurse — the dose can be reduced.
Haloperidol
(Haldol)
Liquid
What it's for
Confusion, agitation, terminal restlessness, nausea and vomiting
How it's given
Swallowed as a liquid — can also be given under the tongue
"They're seeing things — is that bad?"
Hallucinations at end of life are very common and usually not distressing to the patient. Haloperidol is used when the person is visibly agitated or uncomfortable — not just because they're seeing things.
Atropine
(eye drops)
Drops given under the tongue
What it's for
Excess secretions — the "death rattle" or noisy, gurgling breathing
How it's given
2–3 drops placed under the tongue (they're actually ophthalmic drops repurposed for this)
"That rattling sound is terrible."
The sound is often much more distressing to family than to the patient. Your loved one is usually unaware of it. Atropine helps dry the secretions and reduce the noise. Repositioning can also help.
Acetaminophen
(Tylenol)
Suppository or liquid
What it's for
Mild pain and fever
How it's given
As a rectal suppository (when swallowing is difficult) or liquid by mouth
"Can't they just take a regular Tylenol?"
When swallowing becomes difficult or unreliable, the suppository form ensures the medication still works. Your nurse will guide you on which form to use and when.
Prochlorperazine
(Compazine)
Suppository
What it's for
Nausea and vomiting
How it's given
As a rectal suppository — bypasses the stomach entirely, so it works even when they can't keep anything down
"They can't keep anything down."
That's exactly why this medication is in suppository form. It goes to work without needing to pass through the stomach. Your nurse can show you how to administer it comfortably.
Promethazine
(Phenergan)
Suppository or tablet
What it's for
Nausea, vomiting, and restlessness — also has a mild calming effect
How it's given
As a suppository when swallowing is difficult, or by mouth as a tablet
"How is this different from the other nausea meds?"
Phenergan has a mild sedating effect, which can be helpful when nausea comes with restlessness or when your loved one needs to rest. Your nurse will choose the best anti-nausea medication based on what else is happening.
ABH Gel
(Compounded)
Topical gel applied to the wrist
What it's for
Nausea, anxiety, and agitation — combines Ativan, Benadryl, and Haldol into one topical gel
How it's given
Rubbed on the inside of the wrist — absorbs through the skin, no swallowing needed
"They can't take anything by mouth anymore."
That's exactly when ABH gel is most useful. It's a compounded medication (specially mixed by a pharmacy) that absorbs right through the skin. Just rub a small amount on the inner wrist and rotate sides. Your nurse will show you how.
Hydromorphone
(Dilaudid)
Liquid, tablet, or compounded
What it's for
Moderate to severe pain and shortness of breath — stronger than morphine by volume
How it's given
By mouth, under the tongue, or as a compounded preparation when other routes aren't possible
"Why did they switch from morphine?"
Sometimes morphine isn't tolerated well — it can cause itching, nausea, or isn't effective enough. Hydromorphone works similarly but may be better tolerated. The switch doesn't mean things are worse — it means the team is fine-tuning comfort.
Bisacodyl
(Dulcolax)
Suppository
What it's for
Constipation — a very common side effect of opioid pain medications like morphine and hydromorphone
How it's given
As a rectal suppository — usually works within 15–60 minutes
"They haven't had a bowel movement in days."
Constipation is extremely common with pain medications and reduced food intake. It can cause real discomfort. Dulcolax suppositories provide reliable, gentle relief. Let your nurse know — they'll help manage this proactively.
Ondansetron ODT
(Zofran Sublingual)
Dissolving tablet (sublingual)
What it's for
Nausea and vomiting — dissolves on or under the tongue without water
How it's given
Placed on the tongue where it dissolves in seconds — no swallowing or water needed
"What if they can't swallow the tablet?"
The ODT (orally disintegrating tablet) melts on the tongue almost instantly. It's designed specifically for people who can't swallow pills or keep liquids down. You can also place it under the tongue if the mouth is very dry.
Oxygen
(Comfort measure)
Nasal cannula or mask
What it's for
Shortness of breath and air hunger — used for comfort, not to extend life
How it's given
Through a nasal cannula (small tubes in the nose) or face mask — your hospice team sets the flow rate
"Should we keep the oxygen on all the time?"
In hospice, oxygen is a comfort measure. If your loved one seems comfortable without it, it's OK to remove it — especially if the cannula or mask is irritating them. A fan blowing gently on the face can also relieve the sensation of breathlessness. Talk to your nurse about what's helping most.
Important: Never change a dose or give medication without direction from your hospice nurse. The comfort kit is there so relief is immediate — but always call first. Your nurse is available 24/7.
🤲 Beyond Medications — Comfort Tips
Sometimes the most powerful comfort measures don't come from a bottle.
🧊
Cool rags on the forehead and neck
A cool, damp washcloth on the forehead, neck, or wrists can bring real relief — especially with fever or restlessness. Refresh it often. Simple, immediate, and something you can always do.
🤫
Keep the environment quiet and calm
Lower the lights, turn off the TV, minimize visitors coming and going. A calm room helps reduce agitation and restlessness. Soft music or nature sounds can be soothing — but silence is OK too.
👂
They can still hear you
Hearing is believed to be one of the last senses to go. Even when your loved one can't respond, they may still hear you. Speak gently. Say what you need to say. Your voice is a comfort they recognize.
📱
Put family on speakerphone
If extended family can't be there in person, put them on speakerphone or video call. Let them talk to your loved one. The familiar voice of a grandchild, a sibling, or an old friend can be deeply meaningful — even if there's no visible response.
💧
Mouth care matters
When they stop drinking, the mouth dries out quickly. Use damp mouth swabs, a wet washcloth, or lip balm to keep lips and mouth moist. This is one of the most comforting things you can do.
🌬️
A fan near the face
For shortness of breath, a small fan blowing gently toward the face can reduce the sensation of air hunger. This works even better than you'd expect — studies show it's as effective as low-flow oxygen for some patients.
🤝
Touch and presence
Hold their hand. Gently rub their arm. Sit beside them. You don't need to talk. Physical presence and gentle touch release oxytocin and reduce stress — for both of you.
🔄
Reposition gently
Turning them slightly every few hours prevents pressure sores and can ease breathing. Use pillows to support. Your nurse can show you how to do this safely and comfortably.
❓
Questions to Ask Your Hospice Team
You don't have to figure this out alone. Here are the questions other families wish they'd asked sooner — organized by who to ask.
Your hospice nurse is your frontline resource — they visit regularly and are available 24/7 by phone.
Your hospice social worker helps with the practical, emotional, and financial side of things — don't hesitate to lean on them.
The hospice chaplain is there for spiritual and emotional support — for any faith tradition, or no faith tradition at all.
The hospice physician (or your loved one's doctor working with hospice) oversees the medical plan of care.
📖
Glossary of Terms
Hospice has its own language. Here's what the words actually mean — in plain English.
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Self-Care for the Caregiver
You cannot pour from an empty cup. Resources and support for you.
Inside this guide
- The truth about caregiving
- Recognizing burnout — signs to watch for
- Respite care: your right to rest
- Asking for help: real scripts you can use
- Understanding anticipatory grief
- Your physical health matters too
💚
Caregiver Support & Resources
Caregiving is one of the hardest things a person can do. You cannot pour from an empty cup. These resources are here for you.
🆘
If You're in Crisis
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Caregiver burnout is real. You matter too.
🛌
Respite & Caregiver Relief
Hospice respite care
— Up to 5 days in a facility so you can rest. Medicare-covered. Ask your social worker.
ARCH National Respite Network
— Find local respite providers. (703) 256-2084
Caregiver Action Network
— Free support, education, and resources. (855) 227-3640
Hospice volunteers
— Every hospice has a volunteer program. They can sit with your loved one while you take a break.
🤝
Practical Help
CaringBridge
— Free personal health journals to keep family updated without repeating the story.
Lotsa Helping Hands
— Organize meal trains, rides, and help from your community.
Eldercare Locator
— Connect to local aging services. (800) 677-1116
NHPCO HelpLine
— Hospice information and referral. (800) 658-8898
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The Dying Process
What to expect as end of life approaches — a timeline and guide.
The body does not stop eating because it is starving. It stops eating because it is done. There is a difference.
Waldo, NP
Inside this guide
- Weeks before: sleep, appetite, withdrawal
- Days before: body changes to expect
- Hours before: breathing, color, awareness
- What is "normal" vs. what needs a call
- How to provide comfort at each stage
- The moment of death — what it looks like
🕐
Download PDF
What's Happening — A Timeline
The physical and emotional changes you may see as your loved one approaches the end of life. Every person is different — this is a general guide, not a script.
What You May Notice
- Less appetite — decreased interest in food, weight loss
- More sleep — growing fatigue, longer naps, less energy
- Withdrawal — less interest in activities, visitors, or conversation
- Increased pain or nausea — may need medication adjustments
- More infections — weakened immune system makes illness more likely
- Emotional changes — introspection, life review, sometimes sadness or peace
What You Can Do
- Offer smaller, favorite meals — don't force eating
- Let them rest when they need to
- Respect their need for quiet time
- Talk to the hospice team about pain management
- Be present — your company matters even in silence
- Take care of yourself, too — you can't pour from an empty cup
This is normal. Your loved one's body is beginning to slow down. These changes don't mean they're giving up — they're part of the natural process.
What You May Notice
- Sleeping most of the day — may be difficult to wake
- Stops eating — this is the body's way of preparing, not starvation
- Restlessness — picking at sheets, trying to get up, agitation
- Confusion — may not recognize you, or may seem disoriented
- Hallucinations — seeing or talking with deceased loved ones (this is common and often comforting to the patient)
- Congestion — noisy, gurgling breathing as secretions build
- Difficulty swallowing — pills may no longer be possible
- Vital sign changes — temperature swings, weaker pulse
What You Can Do
- Keep their mouth moist with damp sponges or lip balm
- Don't force food or water — it can cause choking or discomfort
- Speak calmly and reassuringly during confused periods
- Don't argue with hallucinations — they're rarely frightening to the patient
- Elevate the head of the bed to ease breathing
- Ask the hospice nurse about liquid or sublingual medications
- Create a calm, quiet environment with soft lighting
- Play their favorite music softly
Seeing deceased loved ones is one of the most common experiences at end of life. Many families find it comforting. It does not mean your loved one is in distress.
What You May Notice
- Bedbound — unable to get up or do any activity
- Skin color changes — bluish, mottled, or purplish patches on knees, feet, hands
- Cheyne-Stokes breathing — several rapid breaths, then a long pause, then rapid breaths again
- Less responsive — may not react to voice or touch
- Eyes change — may be glassy, half-open, or non-reactive to light
- Decreased urine — output drops significantly or stops
- Drop in blood pressure — the body is slowing down
- Facial changes — relaxation of facial muscles
What You Can Do
- Continue talking to them — hearing is one of the last senses to go
- Hold their hand — touch is powerful even when they can't respond
- Keep them warm with light blankets
- Gently reposition every few hours for comfort
- Use the comfort kit medications as instructed by your nurse
- Say what you need to say — "I love you," "Thank you," "I'll be OK"
- It's OK to cry, and it's OK to just sit quietly
These changes look alarming but are generally painless. Your loved one is not suffering from these transitions. The hospice team will visit more frequently now.
What You May Notice
- Death rattle — a gurgling or rattling sound from fluid in the throat. Sounds worse than it feels — your loved one is not choking
- Long pauses in breathing (apnea) — gaps grow longer
- Mouth open — jaw relaxes, breathing through the mouth
- Cold, mottled extremities — hands and feet may be cool and purplish
- Eyes glassy — may not close fully
- Pulse very weak or absent at the wrist
- A brief surge of energy — sometimes, a surprising moment of alertness or clarity right before the end (called "terminal lucidity")
What You Can Do
- Keep talking softly — they may still hear you
- Play their favorite music or read something meaningful
- Hold their hand or gently touch their forehead
- If the death rattle is distressing, atropine drops can help (ask your nurse)
- You don't have to do anything — just being there is enough
- It's OK to step out of the room — some people wait to pass until they're alone
- When breathing stops, there is no rush. Sit with them. Call hospice when you're ready.
For most people in hospice, the final hours are quiet and peaceful. Many families say their loved one simply "drifted away." You are doing this right just by being here.
📊
The Journey — At a Glance
A visual overview of what to expect as the body begins to slow down. Every person is different — this is a general guide, not a rulebook.
Months Before
1 – 3 months
Sleeping more
Eating less
Withdrawing socially
Less interest in news & activities
Weeks Before
1 – 2 weeks
Sleeping most of the day
Confusion or disorientation
Talking to deceased loved ones
Picking at clothes or sheets
Restlessness
Days Before
1 – 3 days
Mottled skin (purple/blue patches)
Cool hands & feet
Not eating or drinking
Breathing pattern changes
Longer periods of sleep
Final Hours
Hours
Irregular breathing or pauses
Gurgling sound (death rattle)
Eyes open but unseeing
Jaw relaxed, mouth open
Possible surge of energy
❓
"Is This Normal?"
Things that look alarming but are actually a normal part of the dying process. Knowing what to expect can save you from panic.
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After Death
What happens in the first hours and days — and what you need to do.
Inside this guide
- The first moments — what to do (and not do)
- Who to call and in what order
- What happens with the body
- Practical steps in the first 48 hours
- The death certificate process
- Bereavement support available to you
🕊️
Download PDF
After Death — The First 48 Hours
When the moment comes, there is no rush. Here is a step-by-step guide for what happens next — and what you do NOT need to do right away.
1
Right Now
The first minutes
☐There is no rush. Take as long as you need. Sit with them. Hold their hand. Pray. Be still. Nothing needs to happen immediately.
☐Call your hospice number. Tell them your loved one has died. A nurse will come to the home to pronounce death and handle the medical details.
⚠️Do NOT call 911. Paramedics are legally required to attempt resuscitation. The hospice nurse handles everything.
☐Call close family members who want to be there. Everyone else can wait.
☐You can bathe and dress them if you wish. Some families find this meaningful. It is not required — the funeral home can do it.
2
First Few Hours
After the nurse visits
☐The hospice nurse will: pronounce the time of death, call the physician, complete paperwork, dispose of remaining medications, and contact the funeral home you've chosen.
☐If you haven't chosen a funeral home, the nurse or social worker can help you find one. You do not need to have this decided in advance.
☐The funeral home will come to transport the body. You can take as long as you need before this happens. Tell them when you are ready.
☐Hospice equipment (hospital bed, oxygen, etc.) will be picked up. The hospice team arranges this — you don't need to call anyone.
3
First 24 Hours
Things that can wait until tomorrow
☐Notify other family and friends. Ask one person to be the point of contact so you don't have to make 50 calls.
☐Gather important documents: birth certificate, Social Security card, marriage certificate, military discharge papers (DD-214), life insurance policies, will/trust.
☐Contact the funeral home to discuss arrangements (burial vs. cremation, visitation, service). They will guide you through every step.
☐Secure the home. Lock doors, turn off medical equipment, secure valuables and medications. Return unused comfort kit medications to hospice or pharmacy.
4
First Week
Take these one at a time
☐Order death certificates — request at least 10 copies. You'll need them for insurance, banks, property, and government agencies.
☐Notify Social Security — call 1-800-772-1213. The funeral home may do this for you.
☐Contact life insurance companies with a death certificate copy.
☐Notify employer, pension, and VA (if applicable).
☐Hospice bereavement services will contact you. Medicare covers 13 months of grief support — phone calls, visits, support groups. Accept the help.
☐Accept help from people. When they say "let me know if you need anything," say yes. Meals, errands, childcare — let people help.
Remember: There is no wrong way to grieve. There is no timeline. You do not have to do everything on this list today, tomorrow, or even this week. These are suggestions, not rules. The most important thing right now is you.
💜
Grief & Bereavement Support
GriefShare
— Faith-based grief recovery groups in your area. 13-week program.
The Compassionate Friends
— Peer support after the death of a child. (877) 969-0010
Dougy Center
— Grief support for children, teens, and their families. (866) 775-5683
Your hospice bereavement team
— Medicare covers 13 months of free grief support after death. Accept the calls.
Find a Funeral Home Near You
If you haven't chosen a funeral home yet, you can search here. Each listing includes a "Questions to Ask" checklist based on your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule.
Clinical wisdom and practical advice from 15 years at the bedside.
Waldo, NP
Have a question? Ask Waldo.
Caregiving, hospice, medications, "is this normal?" — no question is too small.
I read every question personally. Whether it's something medical, something emotional, or just "is this normal?" — ask.
You are not alone in this.
Every guide on this page is free to download, print, and share. If you are currently on hospice, your social worker and chaplain are available to walk through any of this with you. If you haven't started hospice yet and have questions, call your doctor or reach the NHPCO HelpLine at 1-800-658-8898.