The Final Days and Hours: Understanding Dying and Accompanying Those We Love

Few of us feel prepared to recognize what is happening when someone we love is approaching death. Changes in breathing, appetite, alertness, and communication can be unfamiliar and sometimes frightening—especially when we do not know what they mean or how to respond.

Drawing on hospice and palliative care practice and trusted end-of-life resources, this class offers a calm, accessible introduction to the final days and hours of life. We will consider changes that may occur, communication when words become limited, questions about comfort, common family concerns, and ways to offer meaningful support at the bedside.

We will also explore the ancient image of the psychopomp—a companion who walks alongside another at the threshold of death without trying to control the crossing. This image offers a meaningful way to understand the role we may play, whether we support dying people through our work or accompany someone we love.

The goal is not to provide a formula for dying, because every experience is different. It is to help you feel better prepared to recognize what may be happening, know when to seek guidance from the care team, and remain present when there may be nothing to fix or manage.

Open to everyone. No previous knowledge or professional experience is required.

Registration includes a certificate for 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDHs).

Your registration helps support the Center for Death Education’s nonprofit mission to make accurate, compassionate education about death, dying, grief, and end-of-life care accessible and affordable.