If you sat by someone's hospice bedside.... Did you talk about an afterlife, Heaven or where...

Rickichickie · 61-69, F

I sat by my father in law's and my mother in law's bedside and it was always different. My father in law just was calmly waiting for the inevitable and he said thanks to us. I held his hand and so did his sons and sis in law. My mother in law was anxious and because she was religious I said that she soon will be in heaven snd that we meet there again, that calmed her down. Sometimes it's best to just be there and show love by holding the hand of the loved one calmly.
I wish you strength in this difficult time.

MellyMel22 · F

I was with my Gram and she was in so much pain I only told her who was there and that we loved her and to rest b/c she was trying to pay attention to everyone to show she was thankful. Each time I let my uncle or my mom sit closest to her to have time w/her, she called out for me to make sure I was still there 🥺 We were extremely close.

You do what feels right for you and him. Everyone is different.

PTCdresser57 · 61-69, M

My grandma fought her death from cancer even to the point of taking no pain meds. The doctor was amazed at her pain tolerance. She finally passed only after my grandpa told her it was ok to go. Within minutes she took her last breath and passed peacefully. Everyone is different so maybe he knows it's inevitable and just needs to know everything will be fine when it's time.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

It sounds like your loving concern for him is guiding you wisely. If he has a faith he won't need it to be reinforced by you - he already has his assurance. He will love to hear of how you will carry him with you forever, no matter how many different ways you say it. He perhaps wants to enjoy this time as much as he can and let the future take care of itself. Just a thought.

So sorry for your pain at this time.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

No. I just tell them have much I love and appreciate them. With my Mom, she was out of it most of the time. With regards to being a non-believer, my Mom did ask me that will I handle her death ok now that I no longer believe in God. I told her that I was a peace and that made her happy.

Boeing · 36-40

In Greece there is this option for such situations to bring a priest in the hospital and they perform a little ritual of few minutes and give the patient a blessing and some wine and bread, like they would consume in the mass. I don't know if there is anything similar there or if he would want that at all, but I refer to that since you said he is religious...

I know I am not answering your question, unfortunately I don't have an answer to that...

ironborn · 51-55, M

Talk about whatever you have to say, have no regrets..if he becomes agitated of course you can stop, hold his hand, be there for him as you are.

Sorry you are going through this oh so hard time

PinkMoon · 26-30, F

Say it all and leave nothing on the table. You can't regret things going unsaid if you say them.

pituitarypendulum · New

I watched my Dad deteriorate right in front of me for years before he died. The day before he died I was there with him. He was barely there .

JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M

Also say you will be joining him someday, and our bodies will be whole again, our pain a memory, our joy boundless, and our future eternal.

ThreeLittleBirds · F

🌹 🫂