Create a sacred space around the dying person. This includes being mindful of what and how we speak in the room as well as decluttering and de-medicalizing the space. Be mindful of scents and lighting.

When you go to the bedside, identify yourself. Let the person know what you are going to do before you do it or to just let them know that you are there.

Make sure their fingernails and toenails are clean and trimmed.

If the person’s skin is cool and clammy, use warm rags with a favored fragrance to cleanse throughout the day. If they are warm from a fever, use a cool rag.

Make sure the family knows good mouth care. Use a toothette (stick with a sponge tip), moisten with a water and baking soda solution (1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda to 1-quart water), and cleanse the mouth by wiping throughout the gum line, inner cheeks, and gums. Apply some artificial saliva if the person’s mouth is dry and lip balm to keep the lips moist. Use very gentle products to freshen their mouth. Maintain this throughout the day.

Make sure the family knows good eye care. At least once a day, use a warm rag to moisten the eye area and to clean skin around eyes thoroughly. Apply lubricating eye cream and artificial tears if the person’s eyes appear dry. Maintain this throughout the day.

Most people love their head to be rubbed, their hair to be brushed, and their scalp to be massaged. Gently rub across the person’s eyebrows and forehead.

Encourage family members to touch their dying loved one, unless it causes discomfort.

If the person’s skin, mouth, eyes and/or nose are dry, use a cool-mist humidifier to increase the humidity in the room.

Instead of asking questions of the dying, try telling stories, sharing memories, playing music, or reading from one of their favorite books.

Make sure that the oxygen tubing isn’t irritating their skin. Also, make sure their ears are lying flat against the head on the side that is lying against the pillow. Make sure that their skin is not bunched up or being stretched on the side they're lying on, as well as the rest of their body.

Most people’s feet are cold, so have warm socks on the person’s feet. Cover them with a favorite blanket.