Can I just check quickly, was this the right thing to suggest?

[CleverFlossam]

A family whose loved one was slipping away at the weekend. It was Sunday evening and the Chaplain was at home, had to be called in. It was becoming apparent he most probably wouldn't make it. The family were asking about his where abouts and I explained, and suggested that perhaps they might like to say a prayer to their loved on themselves. They went very quiet and looked among themselved before saying the prayer. I'm ashamed to say I'm an atheist and not sure of what else would have been best in this sad scenario. What would you have done?

Perhaps name should be ActuallyNotVeryCleverAtAllFlossam.

Exactly what I would have done. Well done.

Thanks LGJ. It 'felt' the right thing to do, but they all looked around at each other so uncertainly, I wasn't sure. They most probably were trying to think of what an earth to say. It brought tears to my eyes what they did say though .

Thanks LGJ. It 'felt' the right thing to do, but they all looked around at each other so uncertainly, I wasn't sure. They most probably were trying to think of what an earth to say. It brought tears to my eyes what they did say though .

Whoops.

Am sure they were just wondering what to say and also sure it was the right thing to suggest. Your job must be heartrending at times, Flossam

So in essence, they said a prayer for member of their family who they knew and loved, as opposed to a Chaplain who would have been a lovely person and appropriate but didn't "know" the person.

QED, the girl done good.

Thats very true LGJ, nice to think of it that way. The chaplain did arrive just after he passed and as I understand it they shared some prayers together too. I didn't expect them to go so quickly, now I'm questioning if I should have called him in sooner...

Flossam, you're very clever, but not psychic. Please don't beat yourself up over this. Honestly, you did good, I promise.

I didn't expect them to go so quickly

You made a call based on the information you had, to hand, I am not a nurse, but some people fade faster than others regardless of the "markers" am I correct ??

Yes, although he did sink pretty quickly and hovered there for a while. He died within 40 mins of his family coming in, they had requested that none of the machinary be turned off, so I did expect him to be alive for a few more hours. Another example IMO of people 'waiting' for people arrive/leave to die.

You did all you could dearheart, let it go..........................and breathe

I am verry veerry good at worrying LGJ - if they did a degree I'd go for it. I get it from my mother. She too, would pass with flying colours .

You need to meet my good friend/neighbour, she is a born worrier and a fellow Catholic to boot.

The guilt, The guilt,The Catholic Guilt

Your poor friend! Bless her. LOts of sorrys from her then. I say sorry as a reflex actually. Someone crosses my path and I apologise... unless I have buggy rage and then I have been known to tell them off. Split personality or what?