Funeral homes serving the area of Bellingham, WA can provide all the funeral services you need when your loved one has died. But before your loved one dies, you may learn that they are nearing the end of life, so you and your family need to prepare for their death.

Hearing the news that a loved one is approaching death is upsetting for you and your family. You may find yourselves leaping forward to the time after they are gone and wondering how you will all manage and live without them. You may find that you are all experiencing the sorrow of knowing a loss is coming.

However, what you and your family may not know are the signs that death is not far away for your loved one. While knowing what to expect will not change your grief when your loved one dies, it can help you and your family know how to keep your loved one comfortable and how to support each other as the months, weeks, and days lead up to their final hours, and then, finally, death.

If you do not have a hospice agency working with you to care for your loved one, now is the time to get them on board. Hospice staff provide medical care and comfort care for your loved one and they provide support and other resources for you and your family. They are available any time of the day or night to help, so you never have to face anything in the process of your loved one dying all on your own.

One of the signs that death is nearing for your loved one is increased pain that may be related to the illness that they are dying of or may be general pain. This is not uncommon, and there are many types of medications that can be used to manage the pain and keep your loved one comfortable. The pain medications used will be appropriate for the levels of pain experienced, with the strongest pain medications reserved for your loved one’s final days and hours.

Another sign that death is approaching is increased anxiety. Your loved one may exhibit symptoms of restlessness or want to do constantly do things. It’s important to know that this is a common sign of approaching death and doesn’t necessarily mean that your loved one is in pain or nervous about anything. There are both non-medicinal and medicinal ways to ease your loved one’s anxiety without causing them to be excessively tired or sleepy.

A decrease in appetite and drinking less fluid is also another sign of approaching death. As the body shuts down and your loved one is less active, the need for fuel for energy decreases. Don’t try to force them to eat if they don’t want to. However, dehydration can become quite uncomfortable and cause muscles to cramp and the mouth to be extremely dry. Try fruit popsicles to provide some hydration, and use a damp cloth to moisten the inside of their mouth and to ease chapped lips.

The closer your loved one moved toward death, the more they will withdraw from most social interaction. However, they may want you and your immediate family around them all the time. Try to meet their needs, whether they withdraw completely or they want continual companionship.

For additional information about signs of approaching death at funeral homes serving the area of Bellingham, WA, our compassionate and experienced team at Moles Farewell Tributes & Crematory – Bayview Chapel is here to help. You can visit our funeral home at 2465 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham, WA 98229 or you can call us today at (360) 733-0510.