Published
Thank you so much for the imput. I also agree with funerals being a celebration of a persons life. My mother is a very spritual person, as is my father. Right now I am having conflicting feelings about even wearing black to her funeral because to me black symbolizes depression at a funeral. I will absolutely miss my mother, but she is just suffering now and I know once she passes she will once again be happy and out of her physical, painful bondage. She had 6 children, lived a happy life with my father, of which they just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in February, therefore I want to put my feelings aside on that day and celebrate her life. Wearing black just doesn't feel right to me. Anyway, God bless you for your giving heart to these hospice patients. That is also the direction I am thinking about going once I am finished with nursing school. Thanks again. *Joann*
Hi there, in my opinion it's perfectly appropriate to invite anyone on your hospice team to the funeral. I've attended a few of my patient's services and have always been warmly welcomed. In fact, the family members always express such appreciation to us for coming, while I'm busy thanking them for allowing to be a part of their loved one's care team. One of my patients passed away today and I definitely plan on attending his funeral.
I think it is acceptable to attend funerals. However, in my 1 1/2 years of hospice nursing, I've only attended 2.
There are certain families that you will bond with, and it often gives them and you closure, especially if you've worked with the pt for several months and bonded with them and the family.
Our agency encourages us to attend, and will pay us for attending funerals, as long as it's during our scheduled work hours.
All the best,
Diane
Hi there,
At our agency, we attend all viewings funerals. We coordinate this between sw/spiritual/rn/business development/administrator......sometimes more than one team member will go depending on relationships made. Our presence is always extremely well received. Families are very touched that we take the time to attend.
We feel that this is still our obligation to our patient/caregivers to continue to support them through the viewings/funeral. This practice is very helpful for our team, really brings closure to the team as well.
Our agency encourages the nurses (and other disciplines) to attend the visitations. One of the things that is troubling to families is the fact that their loved one dies and at the same time they lose all contact with the team that they bonded with. Visitation attendance helps both the family and the staff to experience "closure" of that relationship with less time requirement and social pressure for the hospice professionals.
Butterfly0328
286 Posts
Hi everyone. I just have a question for you all. Do you ever get invited by family members to attend the funeral of a patient you have been caring for? My mother is currently in hospice and the 2 nurses who attend to her are soooo sweet. My father asked me if it is appropriate to advise her nurses about her services once she passes. I have no idea what the protocal is on this situation so I figured I would ask you all. Thanks.