Recording the memories of someone who is terminally ill can help the patient and their loved ones

It can be very difficult to know how best to support someone who is dying.

We were very moved to receive this thought from Jeanette. As she explains, it may not help everyone, but for others it can be an extremely valuable experience

She writes...

MEMORIES: help someone leave their best memories with you. For these to live on is often a very important legacy to the person who is dying. It can be hard work for them, so check with them whether it would be helpful and, when you visit, offer to take some of the labour out of this by tape recording your reminiscences through a chat or writing them down as you chat. Supporting someone in this process can be very therapeutic to both parties.

My friend also asked me to write a eulogy for her funeral which she could read. It wasn't easy, but I did it. She read it in the last few weeks of her life. She was so pleased and said it was a relief to be able to talk openly. She seemed very proud and talked about it to her visitors, including her chaplain. I was delighted to have helped.

It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is dying and a role like this was a great facilitator for conversation. Obviously it needs to be the right role for both parties but it can be kept very simple.