Hospice care offers promise of more humane treatment at the end of life. Advance directives are welcome means to foster responsible decisions at the end of life. Yet people are often overwhelmed and frightened when thinking about medical treatment and legal possibilities, and therefore do not take steps to prepare for the end of their lives. People recognize their rights as patients but at the same time feel unprepared to take on the responsibility. Pastors can help people to deal with their fears and hopes.
Congregations can offer opportunities for conversation and deliberation about the end of life.
They can invite hospital chaplains, hospice care-givers, social workers, attorneys, or others knowledgeable about advance directives to help them consider the topic's many dimensions. Church-related hospitals, nursing homes and other social ministry organizations are also encouraged to provide for continuing conversation and deliberation about their ministry at the end of life. The staff of these organizations need to understand the ethical principles that are to guide the care they provide. Ethics committees can play an important role in dealing with unresolved conflicts about treatment decisions. We rejoice in the faithful and compassionate congregations, pastors, health care professionals, and church institutions who minister with persons who are dying and their families and friends.