The Rights of the Dying
The Right To . . .
- Be treated as a living human being
- Maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be
- Be cared for by those who can maintain a sense of hopefulness, however challenging this may be
- Express feelings and emotions about death in one’s own way
- Participate in all decisions concerning one’s care
- Be cared for by compassionate, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand one’s needs
- Expect continuing medical care, even though the goals may change form “cure” to “comfort” goals
- Have all questions answered honestly and fully
- Seek spirituality
- Be free of physical pain
- Express feelings and emotions about pain in one’s own way
- Allow children to participate in death
- Understand the process of death
- Die
- Die in peace and dignity
- Not die alone
- Expect that the sanctity of the body will be respected after death
(Source: grief.com, The Rights of the Dying n.d.)