Obituaries

Francesco Piazza
D: 2024-03-26
View Details
Piazza, Francesco
Linda LeSurf
D: 2024-03-22
View Details
LeSurf, Linda
Elizabeth Liefl
D: 2024-03-17
View Details
Liefl, Elizabeth
Richard Green
D: 2024-03-14
View Details
Green, Richard
Muriel Clegg
D: 2024-03-10
View Details
Clegg, Muriel
Gioconda Merante
D: 2024-03-10
View Details
Merante, Gioconda
Samuel Thomas
D: 2024-03-08
View Details
Thomas, Samuel
Donald Parker
D: 2024-03-08
View Details
Parker, Donald
Susanne Bell
D: 2024-03-08
View Details
Bell, Susanne
Gerald Thorne
D: 2024-03-07
View Details
Thorne, Gerald
Clifford Barnhart
D: 2024-03-05
View Details
Barnhart, Clifford
Mervyn Arkinson
D: 2024-03-05
View Details
Arkinson, Mervyn
Dorothy Staresinic
D: 2024-03-04
View Details
Staresinic, Dorothy
Jusmoui Anderson
D: 2024-03-03
View Details
Anderson, Jusmoui
Eleanor Waters
D: 2024-03-03
View Details
Waters, Eleanor
Sylvia Hogan
D: 2024-03-03
View Details
Hogan, Sylvia
Stella Casucci
D: 2024-03-02
View Details
Casucci, Stella
Ethel Croft
D: 2024-03-02
View Details
Croft, Ethel
Diane Beck
D: 2024-03-02
View Details
Beck, Diane
Marilyn Dell-McPhaden
D: 2024-02-29
View Details
Dell-McPhaden, Marilyn
Ian Crawford
D: 2024-02-28
View Details
Crawford, Ian

Search

Use the form above to find your loved one. You can search using the name of your loved one, or any family name for current or past services entrusted to our firm.

Click here to view all obituaries
Search Obituaries
Pre-Arrange
5917 Main Street
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 5Z7
Phone: 905-356-3550 or 1-877-356-3550
Fax: 905-356-9916

First in Service, Value & Family

Our family welcomes you!

Signs of Approaching Death - Morse & Son Funeral Home

Obituaries & Tributes

Immediate Need

Prearrange Your Funeral

Contact Us

Site Search

A A A

Text Sizing

Signs of Approaching Death

Reduced Food & Fluid Intake

Loss of appetite and decrease in thirst are common. The body is beginning to shut down and does not need nourishment. People commonly feel it is necessary to encourage the person to eat in the hope of sustaining life; however, food and fluid may cause discomfort. The person may ask for ice chips, popsicles, ice cream or some other food choice. Do not be surprised if only a mouthful or two is taken. When swallowing is no longer possible, mouth care provides moisture and comfort. Do not offer a fluid if swallowing is not possible.

Elimination

Output of urine and stool will decrease as the food and fluid intake decreases. Urine and stool may also change colour, be passed less frequently and in smaller amounts. Other factors such as immobility and medication may contribute to this.

Your loved one may lose control of bladder or bowel function as the muscles begin to relax. In this instance it may be necessary to use an incontinence brief.

Ask the health care professional about the management of these symptoms. It is important to provide skin care and cleansing on a routine basis.

Sleeping

Sleeping an increased amount of time is common. It may become more difficult to waken the person. As death nears, the person may slip into a coma and become unresponsive.

Restlessness & Disorientation

Confusion as to time, place and recognition of people, even family members and close friends is common.

At times your loved one may become restless. For example, he/she may reach out to unseen objects, pull at the bedding or try to get out of bed. This can occur for many reasons such as lack of oxygen circulation to the brain or changes in condition or medications. It would be helpful to discuss these changes with a health care professional.

Changes in Breathing

Regular breathing patterns may change. Breathing may stop for 10 to 30 second periods, or there may be periods of rapid, shallow panting. These breathing patterns are normal and indicate the natural progression towards death.

A moaning sound occurs as the breath passes over the relaxed vocal cords.

Congestion

Gurgling sounds, often loud, occur when a person is unable to cough up normal secretions. This does not normally cause pain or discomfort. It may be helpful to turn the person to one side and gently wipe away secretions with a moist cloth. As secretions build up, keeping the head of the bed elevated (by using pillows) will make breathing easier. Sometimes medications can be ordered to help dry up secretions.

Oral suctioning may be done, however, this usually causes an increase in secretion production.

Skin

You may notice the skin begin to change colour and become cooler to touch.

The face may be pale and the feet and legs a purple-blue mottled colour. The circulation of the blood is slowing down.

Although your loved one is cool to touch, he/she is usually comfortable. Offer a warm blanket but avoid using an electric blanket to prevent the risk of skin burns.

Social and Emotional Signs

Loss of Interest

As death approaches, the person becomes quieter and less interested in physical surroundings. He/she may become withdrawn, less sociable and also be confused about time and place.

Vision-Like Experiences May Occur 

The person may see or speak to people and places not visible to you. Try not to explain away what the person is saying. Be supportive by listening to the person.

Emotional States

The person dying may be going through different emotional states such as guilt, anger, frustration, helplessness or sadness. Tears are a natural expression of one's feelings and may occur in both the person and his/her family.

Spirituality & Cultural Rituals

People vary greatly in their spiritual and religious beliefs and needs. During this time a member of the clergy, chaplain or a spiritual adviser can provide support to both the dying person and the family.

It may be helpful for you to attend to your own special cultural needs at this time.

Signs a Death Has Occurred

Even though death is expected, you may not be prepared for the actual moment it occurs. At the time of death:

  • There will be no response
  • There will be no breathing
  • There will be no pulse
  • Eyes will be fixed in one direction
  • Eyelids may be opened or closed
  • There may be loss of control of the bladder or bowel

The procedures followed prior to and after death by nurses, physicians and funeral directors will be different from county to county and province to province. If your loved one is living with a terminal disease you should ask your physician and funeral director what the procedures are in your area.

Remember: This is an expected death and no further medical intervention is required. Do not call 911, the police or the fire department.

After Death Has Occurred

If you have health care professionals involved in the care of the dying person they should be notified of the death. They are available to provide you with emotional support and assistance regarding phone calls to the physician and the funeral home.

A physician must be called by the nurse or the family so that the death can be certified.

At the same time, it is necessary to call the funeral home to inform them that your loved one has died.

You may spend as much time as needed with the deceased person. Do not be afraid to touch, hug or kiss the person. Some people may wish to lie down beside him/her.

A health care provider may also help with the safe, responsible way of storing and disposing of medication and equipment, but it is the family's responsibility to do so.

You may have dealt with many intense emotions and challenges in your journey through the loss of your loved one. It is important to realize that grief is a highly personal response to life losses. Grief may last longer than society recognizes, so be patient with yourself and allow for the expression of feelings that you are feeling.

 

Online Condolences Online Condolences

Family and friends are invited to join in creating a book of memories for your loved one by leaving a memory, a condolence and / or a favourite photo.

Prearrangement Prearrangement

Dying is one of the few events in life that's certain to occur. Should we spend more time preparing for a two week vacation than we do our last days on Earth?

Proudly Serving the Community of Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-468-3255 or 1-877-356-3550 415 Regent Street | Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON | L0S 1J0