1. Setting the Stage
2. Choices
Home, hospital or hospice
Legal and financial issues
Curing or healing
Assisted suicide and euthanasia
Rights and responsibilities
3. A Healing Environment
Why are surroundings so important?
Who’s in charge?
A return to the senses
Seeing
Hearing
Touching
Smelling
Tasting
Visitors
4. Comfort
Why comfort?
Skin care and hygiene
Mouth care
Nourishment
Problems that may arise
5. Healing the Spirit
Spirit as a loving presence
The God of childhood and adult spirituality
Human value and dignity
Family issues
6. Caring for the Caregiver
Your emotions and your health
Stress and burnout
Steps to healthy self care
7. Changes: Your Body and Mind
Grieving the future you won’t have
The signs of a failing body
The signs of a healing mind
Unfinished business
To the caregiver living with a loved one’s changes
8. The Last Dance
No dress rehearsal
Welcoming the transition
Things to do and say
The signs of impending death
Making room for the angels
9. Your Memorial or Funeral Service
The obituary
Planning the service
Participating in your own service
Burial or cremation
10. Counting on Life to Heal the Grief
The stages of grief all in one hour
Multiple losses
Keeping anniversaries
Keepsakes and remembrances
Guarding your grief
11. Closing the Circle