Families' experiences of the last office of deceased family members in the hospice setting.
This study aimed to describe the experience of family members who had been involved in the last office of a deceased relative and explored what the participation meant to each individual. Undertaken in Hong Kong, data were collected through semi-structured interviews of six bereaved family members who had participated in the procedure. Five major themes emerged with regard to the meanings of the participation: a sense of completeness; a continuation of relationship; fulfillment of responsibility; conveyed messages of gratitude and respect; and an enhancement of the acknowledgement of the reality of death. The most significant part of each individual's experience is the humanistic approach of care throughout the procedure including the attitude of the nurses.
Bradbury Hospice, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
Cecelia wai man
Cw
Kwan
D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005655:Funeral Rites; D006723:Hong Kong; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011368:Professional-Family Relations