In Their Final Days: Stories of Hope and Reflection

In our ever-changing world, there is a group of people who live each day with a heightened awareness that life is fleeting. These individuals have received the hardest news imaginable: their lives are nearing an end. With that knowledge come deep, existential questions.

“From the moment they are diagnosed with an incurable disease, their thoughts are entirely different from those of most of us,” says Tzurit Yarchi, a social worker with Sabra Medicine’s home hospice care. “We enable terminal patients to remain at home, helping them live their final days with as much comfort and quality of life as possible.”

How do they cope with the knowledge of impending death?

“Each person faces it differently, and our role is to provide the support that suits them best. Many patients fully understand their condition, know the medical terms, and realize there is nothing more doctors can do. Some openly speak about saying goodbye, while others choose not to dwell on it in order to preserve inner calm. Our goal is to reduce fear as much as possible.”

How can the journey be eased for those nearing the end?

“As a social worker, I’m part of a team that includes a doctor and a nurse, all working to support both the patient and the family. We begin by getting to know the patient and their family structure, whether there is a spouse or a primary caregiver. In cases of dementia, most of the work is with the family.”
Yarchi recalls meeting with the adult children of a terminal patient: “They struggled to speak about their mother’s approaching death, but found comfort in having space to talk and process their feelings with me.”

Are there moments that stay with you?

“One patient, shortly before his death, asked his family to visit. Later, when we were alone, he told me he sensed his end was near and asked that I not share this with his children so as not to burden them with sadness. At the same time, his children confided in me that they too felt their father’s time was short and asked that I not tell him how much they feared losing him. This mutual desire to protect one another was deeply moving. I helped them gently acknowledge what they already knew, in a way that honored everyone’s wishes.”

Is it difficult for caregivers to face constant goodbyes?

“Very much so. It is emotionally demanding to walk a path where the outcome is known from the start. And yet, there is something profoundly sacred in those final moments. Saying goodbye through prayer carries a gravity similar to birth, as the soul prepares to depart and the presence of Hashem is deeply felt.”

Do religious beliefs affect how people approach the end of life?

“Fear of the unknown exists for everyone. Still, people with faith often have something to hold onto. Many experience spiritual growth, increasing prayer or acts of charity. I once worked with a man who described himself as an atheist, yet in his final days he surprised us by asking to wear a tallit and tefillin.”

What regrets do people express near the end?

“Most regrets revolve around relationships. Asking forgiveness from family members is very common and incredibly moving. Rarely do people speak about money or career achievements. What matters most to them is time spent with loved ones and acts of kindness.”

How do families experience the final moments?

“Some families elevate the moment with songs, prayers, or shared memories, creating a meaningful farewell. Even families who are not religious find personal ways to give the moment depth and connection.”

Mezuzah Before the End

Neria Machlev, also a social worker with Sabra Medicine, notes that confronting mortality often awakens a spiritual spark. She recalls an atheist patient who, in his final days, insisted on placing a mezuzah on his door, despite having lived far from Jewish tradition. For him, it was a deeply meaningful final act that brought peace.

These stories reveal a universal truth: when time becomes finite, clarity emerges. Those closest to life’s end remind us what truly deserves our investment: relationships, meaning, faith, and the values that endure beyond us.