Passing On - Death, Dying, and End of Life Planning (full documentary) 

I worked as a RN for 38 yrs. I worked in many areas, but my favorite was hospice. My friends and family could not understand how I could enjoy this job. For me, my patients were going to pass away no matter what. Making this experience comfortable, pain and anxiety free as possible for not only my patient, but their families also....this was very important to me. I treated my patients like I would want my family treated. And I wanted to make sure they were not alone. I hope I made a difference

Just watching this the burden of people worrying about money to die and families in a bad way here in ireland it's not expensive like America I hear it's so expensive to go to hospital

I had a Massive Pulmonary Embolism in August of 2,000. I’ve a DNR✨💫🌟

America needs more education about end of life issues. Especially the medical community .

Artemisa died in 2015 RIP to a genuine lady

i think dying in a hospital room is the worst place to go. we should be allowed to go sit in the mountains or along a river. enjoy the nature for the last time

I see it in this documentary and have seen it as someone who works with elderly, please don't talk about the patient or your loved one as if they are not in the room! Just because they can't communicate, doesn't mean they can't hear you.

I'm 34...both parents have died. Mom went 18 years ago, dad 3 years ago. Both from cancer. I lost all of my grandparents and have been around various relatives sick with cancer and whatnot. I have been around a lot of death. Knowing what I know and witnessing all that suffering...I firmly believe that a consenting grown adult is a sovereign being and has the right to choose what happens to their body, even death. Period.

my mom died this year. She was only 54. She died suddenly. went into the hospital with a bleeding oesophagus and died a week later. Sitting with her through the dying process was traumatizing. Though the doctors kept telling me she was comfortable, I felt like she was still fighting to live. She was crying out for help and struggling. it was terrifying to watch, but there was literally nothing we could do. It's been 6 months and I relive it every night. (don't worry, I started therapy and take anti anxieties now) It's so hard to understand death until you've watched it happen.

I was caregiver 5 years for my mother who passed @ age 93. I'm sorry, when I cannot live, only exist or suffer with pain, let me go, give me a pill to transition. Human has a right to die.

My dad was lucky to die in his sleep. He always said that’s the way he wanted to go. Love u dad

I'm a retired nurse I have chosen for my self, if I have catastrophic illness, no excessive treatment, no resuscitation. I have seen too much and I have no fear of death. What I do fear is too much unnecessary treatment.

Your loved ones can hear you as you discuss everything. I remember a patient being comatose then came out of it. She said it’s awfull hearing your family arguing over my possessions

My brother passed away in 2019,at 54 years old. He received hospice care,all that could be done was keep him comfortable as possible. He made his wishes known a few months before he passed away. He had a DNR,had his urn purchased. Hard as it was to say goodbye,knowing what his wishes were ahead of time made things a little easier

I’m totally torn between the idea of life being a gift or it being a total curse. The pain we go through seems to totally outweigh the times of good health and happiness. At least that’s what I’ve experienced.

I watched my grandma pass away. She came home to pass and was relatively peaceful. She would wake up in a panic calling for my mom or my aunt. Was on morphine for the pain. She was ready to go be with my grandpa. Miss her so much.

I'm not scared of dying. I've been sitting holding hands with older relatives when they passed. The only thing that matters in a situation like that is love. And it was peaceful. As my wise grandma said; You are going back to the place you were before you were born, and did you suffer there?

I won't go out like this...when I get to the point, where I can't do much.....I will save my strength and take one final hike out at night to a secluded and isolated place in the Northwoods of Mn that has an overlook on a lake, on a subzero night and take my coat and hat off and pass peacefully in the night in the forest. I want to smell and feel the forest while watching the aura borealis while I die, not chemicals and fluorescent light. It'll be beautiful.

I'm 48 years old right now. At the age of 21, my colon ruptured while I was in the hospital, and I was clinically dead for two minutes is they rushed me to the operating room. I have ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, and also had colon cancer. Between my first surgery when I was 21 and now, I've had 33 gastrointestinal operations, during which I nearly died twice more. I've spent a great deal of my life in agony so bad that I am in the foetal position unable to straighten up. I now live with less than 5% of my entire gastrointestinal tract, have been forced to retire at the age of 46, and I'm living on long-term disability for the rest of my life because I cannot go back to work with so little intestine. No words can describe the hell that I've been through and I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but it has made me appreciate those moments when I'm healthy enough to enjoy it, and I've made sure they're in my will I do have a DNR, or, do not resuscitate, order. I spent more than half of my adult life in the hospital in agony having surgery after surgery, if I am to reach a point of no return, and I know there is no point in keeping on trying, I want to end my life with dignity and grace, with my faculties intact, not in a vegetative state spending months, or even years, in pure agony. To me that is not living, to be nearly alive just not mean you have a life. The moment my quality of life is gone and I have to rely on people to do everything for me, then my life is over, and I will do whatever is necessary to end my life before I reach that point. We have such compassion for animals and put them down and out of their suffering, I'll never understand why we don't do the same for ourselves. But rest assured, illegal or not no, I will take my life when the time comes, as no government has any right to tell me when I can and cannot and my own life.

My dad was my hero protector ,provider, was so sudden unexpected 54 years old better body than a 35 year old .on his way to work first rain Oct 14 2016 on his new Harley slid to a guard rail no markings on his body and find out he had heart attack .just hoes to show death can be sudden .love everyday and cherish the ones you love .and say things before it's to late

Way to go. No treatment if you are dying. I have leukemia and right now treatment keeps me alive at a hood life quality. When my life quality goes down I only want to die peacefully no extension of life so hospitals can get rich. Don’t want family to suffer. Ready to go be with my mom and my beautiful pets. 🤣

I'm a nurse and have had many of my patients die. Believe me, no one wants to die hooked up to tubes in a hospital. It's terrible, what patients often go through. And growing old is not fun!!! I'm 71 years old and have heart and lung issues. I'm becoming frail. Unable to drive. I'm loosing more of my independence. I don't want to be a burden to anyone!!!

" I'll live as long as I can for her" You're the man Col. Frank Klein.

"I wasn't dying fast enough, I flunked the hospice program." I smiled at his comment.

Omg. He is adorable walking his wife around the house- Don't nobody tell me that real, lasting love does not exist!!!!!

What’s the most important thing is to don’t leave this world without Jesus as your Savior in your heart. That’s all what’s matters.

My mum died of cancer, a slow and painful death and the guilt of making the decisions that we were not sure would be what she wanted was devastating for my family. We never really talked to each other properly about it for years...because of the feeling of guilt. Had we made the right choices? So my dad died four months ago and he had put his care plan in place through his doctor, hospice and my eldest brother. I will always say... that he gifted us and so accepting his passing in hospice was made so much more easier to cope with because we honored his wishes. No Guilt , No Stress. I support Passing On.

Throughout my entire life I have always wondered why so many people are afraid to die. Having said that, let me explain further. From the day I was born I Iived and grew up in what was then called a 'Rest Home' - a smaller version of a nursing home. For 18 years I was surrounded by elderly folks in various stages toward the end of their lives. My mom, a LPN, cared for people in our home in rural VT for almost 30 years. One thing I must note is that I was shielded from seeing death occur. I do believe that this upbringing formed my attitudes on death and dying. However, I also believe strongly that a person with faith in a 'higher power' - whatever they conceive that to be, is perhaps more at peace with themselves at the end.

Stay away from doctors and medicines. I feel like Mary.

PLEASE make a Will. PLEASE tell your families your wishes.

Col.Frank Klein is such a wonderful,loving and very caring man.I do not know him but you can tell that his wife is his shining star and that his life revolves around her and her care.This is how love is suppose to be.A very encouraging story about these 2 people and also a very well put together,informative documentary.

Personal stories/interviews: 2:12-4:50 Artemisia Galvan 6:30-8:02 Mary E. Reasoner 8:30-10:49 Tony Sanchez 16:35-18:10 Tom Schoen 18:37-19:04 John Perry 21:25-23:49 Dolores Duarte 25:40-27:50 James B. Nelson 32:03-32:43 Li Hua Chang Li 37:10-39:40 Col. Frank and Jane Klein 39:44-42:40 Ruby Fritz 46:29-49:30 Barbara Horvath

This was a very well done, thoughtful video. I'm not squeamish or afraid of death... never have been. I'm glad more people are starting to talk about it & what their end of life wishes are. We're all born to die- there's no getting around it.

I found this video to be very helpful.....if for no other reason than....I feel normal in my thinking. Thank you for sharing.

I just wish people wouldn't talk over the patient as if they don't know wats being said just my opinion

I can understand some people do not want to live anymore. But the Bible has made it clear about taking your own life. The Lord God said i taketh and i giveth. JOB 1:21. So it says only God shall end ones life.

I like Mary, that's how im going to go out. The way I want to and with my chin held high without fear.

I’m more afraid of having to be a caregiver than death. I was my mothers caregiver for only 3 months. I t was not easy & I had many panic attacks. My husband & I don’t have a great marriage. He is showing signs of dementia & has prostate cancer. I don’t have the patience or the love it takes to be a caregiver. I think it will destroy me. I’m giving it all to God but I just want to run away.

when he talks about flunking hospice, my nanny was the same, she was taken out of hospice and went back to her home and lived another 2.5 years healthy!

The husband caring at home for his wife is just a sweetheart, my heart goes out to them!

Sometimes dying in a hospital room isn't bad. Mom died 7 months ago in the hospital. She was in palliative care and had a huge room to herself. The bad thing is when you die on your own with no family member with you. I live in a nursing home and use a power chair, so travelling is not fun, especially because to get from my home to where mom died was very expensive. I was there with her twice, once in icu and the last time was 2 days before she died. She knew I loved her and knew my $ situation was bad. The other 3 sister's never visited her and they had a way there like a car. Mom knew I loved her. Sadly the only 1 out of 4 of us who cared. The last time I saw her alive I kissed her forehead and told her I loved her. But her nurses were great. If call like 6x a day and they were great, they were always glad to hear from me. Mom I miss you dearly. RIP. To the doctors and nurses who looked after her at McKenzie Health care in Ontario Canada I can't thank you enough. God bless y'all. Death hurts. My condolences to all going through grieving the loss of your loved ones. 🇨🇦😇😇😇😇😇👼👼👼👼👼☄☄☄☄☄☄☄

The lady who had cancer and didn't want the chemo and radiation made the right decision for herself, I was diagnosed with Cancer last week.. crazy; i'm 43.. I myself refuse to be pumped with toxic chemicals to 'fight' a disease that's already there.. why so I can get sicker, lay around, my kids see me suffer emotionally (I also have Depression). I don't want to do it.. if this is the transition to my dying.. then fine.. haven't had the easiest life.. but I know my girls will be fine and were taught to be tough and smart.. they'll be fine.. I'm not suffering to appease others feelings. (call me selfish) but I'm not afraid; anymore.

I'm writing this on my husband's phone. I was lucky he was very sick for a long time .he passed away this August 2022. But he was of sound mind when he passed and made the decision to go . He wanted me to be bye his side and I was. I was so glad he was able to let the hospital and healthcare workers know his wishes.

Patients should have the right to die with dignity. Being bed ridden, no visitors is not a good way to spend the last years....unable to communicate. I see this with the elderly. I realized 2 things. 1.) If i get diagnosed i want to go on my terms 2.) I dontwant to die old, i dont want to end up in a nursing home stuck on a bed, cant communicate and being lonely

Col. & Mrs Klein...WOW! What a lovely couple. I watched my Mom take care of my Dad this way. They passed away within 6 weeks of each other. Young people should look at stories like this to find out what love really is.

What a sweetheart is Col. Klein! My darling husband always watched out for me, through three brain surgeries. But then I became his carer as he fought terminal brain cancer. We were meant to grow old(er) together 😭 - he was on hospice and died in my arms. It broke my heart but I know we were both against a hospital setting.

The brave souls in this segment are Angels. But my condolences to all their families :) This has helped me. My loved one has stage 4 cancer. 6 months? I am praying for strength to help

So glad I live in the UK and we have free health care. I think it's awful how health is capitalised on.

My mom was open about approaching her end. She was not afraid, and because the hospice nurses were so understanding, the time we had together was wonderful, not scary. I’m so glad that Mom was so open because it made it much easier for us. We all will die some day, and I think that many people are afraid because we don’t talk about it. But as hard as it is, we can do it, as it is part of being human.

That's not living when I'm going to die I don't want to be hooked up to machines. I say let me go.

I have a non treatable cancer. Time will be short but I hope it’s not painful.

An excellent programme. Thank God that we in the UK don't have (at least for the moment) the financial concerns shown here.

Don't put me on anything. I. Don't want chemo none of that. Just give me drugs.

You can't keep someone alive in pain

If I had a chance for a life redo I would go to college to become a registered nurse and work in hospice. I feel like helping folks out as they prepare to go on their incredible journey world be the most amazing job.

I would not want to be hooked up to machines not being able to speak are tell people how I feel just let me go.

Beautifully done documentary. Death does need to be spoken about frankly and accepted as the inevitable end of all of our lives, not held at arm's length and postponed just for the sake of lengthening life at any cost.

What a wonderful lady who took care of other's. She did a great job raising her grandson. Sympathy for this young man.

I started looking into Advanced Directives after my mom passed in 2013 and never followed through with the paperwork. I donated my remains to the body farm in Tennessee. This documentary has reminded me why ADs are important to have, especially since my mom didn't have one and was put on life support. Its good to see the Drs and loved ones handle this gently and with love and care. I plan on getting my paperwork in order and having my wishes in writing asap

My father was a son of Arizona, where he deceased in August 2014 at age 69. Born in McCaskill, Arkansas in 1945.

Death brings tears and sadness... NDEs allow us to see... our soul is set free.... a message of hope and gladness. "Passing on" is the correct term. Just passing thru on the way home.

I would prefer to go peacefuly, not kept alive by machines.

Sounds like Scott Simon's familiar voice at NPR. Thank you. We all need to deal with this and hospice will help a lot.

R.I.P. to you all ♥

My mother said she was not afraid of death (she felt sure she would go to heaven and meet Jesus); however, she was afraid of dying (she knew it could be sufferance in the process). She had witnessed my sister die from A.L.S.. She didn’t want to die alone. I was privileged to be at her side for her last few days of life and was right there when she passed. She did not die alone; I read scripture, sang hymns & lullabies, and talked with her until she breathed her last breath. My hope is someone will do this for me.

Thank you for posting this documentary. Im an EMT that works at an IFT specialty company, and a lot of the patients we get are either going home or to a facility on hospice, and this makes it easier to understand the process

I find these documentaries fascinating because western culture tends to throw a blanket over the issue until you have to experience it first hand.

7:31 1 TBONE STEAK A DAY WITH A1 SAUCE PLEASE FOR 6 MONTHS AND THATS IT BEAM ME UP AND PLENTY OF CRICKETS FOR MY FISH AND FROGS

I really didn't understand what hospice actually was, due to lack of communication with my distant sisters, when I was told to deny my FATHER a tiny sponge,he was thirsty .im sorry ,bullshit .HE LOOKED ME IN T HE EYE AND SAID,"I'LL SEE YOU AT HOME.I LIVED AND TOOK CARE OF HIM .HAVE NO REGRETS,

I live in La Crosse...this was honestly kind of an out of body experience seeing my city pop up in this documentary

How courageous is Mary (the lady round about the 7 minute mark) who wasn't afraid to die, never have been and said that she had lived a full life.

AS ALWAYS AS WITH EVERYTHING< ****MONEY**** is the key to wether you get help or if you dont, NO MONEY THEN HOME YOU GO,,,,NO such thing as nice care its what you pay for get if you dont pay you go without,,,, disgusting fact and disgraceful in this day and age

I loved this! Thank you. It made me see my own upcoming demise a bit differently with such an array of people, opinions, and experiences. Death is a tough one.

No one will ever die until they live. The conception of living and dying has been presented to you by the Ever Laster to familiarize it with your soul living and dying. Before this " life" you had no conception of any kind of "life" simply because you where never born. Until your flesh deceived you into a false understanding that one day you will die and you and all that you become and did will be no more than memories to those that may keep your memories to document and share as long as humanly possible. We have no beginnings therefore we have to endings. What matters most is where we never end. Because that is where you will end up indefinitely in your. In your end of never endings of neverendingness..

"Passing On" "has passed" God preserve us why don't you just say it "he/she died" !!! It's like Americans have to say 'Bathroom' and not toilet, lavatory or whatever! I don't want to shit or piss in your bath so I don't want your bathroom I want your lavatory! Also Americans say 'Home' when they really mean 'house'. A home has furniture, bed linen, cutlery etc. If I buy your house I don't want your home contents. I just want the house not your home!

I would love to tell my children what I want not scared of dieing 55:04

To spend your life having endless medical treatment, and in pain, is absolutely a fate much worse than death. As I get older, and contemplate my future without family support, which is my situation, I know that death will be my best option. I will find a way out of this world, rather than cling on to a life of misery. We are all going to die one way or another, no one gets out of here alive. In so many ways life is pointless, and the world a terrifying place. I have a Living Will in place, and have ensured that all the boxes are ticked. What is the point of fearing what cannot be avoided? The best is behind me, and the worst is yet to come. I have a 98 year old Mum in a shocking state. Believe me, old age is not for sissies.

Im terminally ill and I'm terrified of dying although, it's inevitable. But I do not want to die in a hospital. Id rather be at home so the last thing I see is my loved ones and things I hold close to my heart. I have already made my end of life 5 wishes and number 1 is to be at home. I just love Col. Frank. He is such a sweet, loving man!. Beautiful couple! ❤

Jane Klein passed away in January 2018 at age 92. Col Frank Klein, who passed in 2020 at 98, had quite a stellar military career. He is the one that discovered where the actual magnetic north pole was located. He had an amazing life. People should google his name and read one of his obituaries.

You do not have to fix anything. Dying is perfectly natural. Dying bit by bit is not🇨🇦

I would not want Hospice anywhere near me! My mother was in a nursing home…age 96. She was combing her hair…feeling good….when about 6 Hospice nurses came in her room….pushed me aside….start putting whatever in her mouth…maybe morphine? My mother screamed….”What are you doing to me? I thought they were giving her medicine….but it was Morphine…they kept shoving it in her mouth…she kept screaming…stop it! I couldn’t get near her! I feel they murdered her…as she was not dying or ready to die! The word Hospice makes me sick!! …at the time I stupidly didn’t realize what they were doing. She had been sitting up combing her hair….and was put to death! Hospice? They’ll knock you off….and my mom suffered with them shoving morphine in her mouth…..while keeping me away from her…..I’ll never forget her screaming….what are you doing to me?

all these vids on families and dying and not one giving praise AND TRUST TO GOD in the name of JESUS - that’s worrisome

The Drs right about when medical people die; we don’t go to ICU, no CPR and we use Hospice services sooner. Exactly my thoughts! Retired Dialysis RN.

go with God God bless you TJ

I pray I find a love like that couple who were married for 60 plus years " I try to live long enough to take care of her " thats how marriage use to be. it meant something. couples honored their partner and their vows. if there's no violence or pain then why not stand by the person who's been your everything for more years then not. today marriage is a joke. I hope I find just a small percentage of their love, with my partner. God bless your love...family...and eachother. and I'm sure of of them is gonna be waiting for the other....at the gates ....

I have seen so many people die. Patients, family, usually I was the person caring for them. I am not afraid of death, I know that there is a place in heaven for me.

I love Mary's attitude💖💖God Bless 🙌🏿 her Soul ❤ 🙏🏻

Money money money this really pissed me of nothing is Eva free it costs more to die then be born dishraceful

However when the time comes no matter where you are you will go you do not have a choice at that point of being by your beloved mountain stream or in your home or in the hospital. In the very end what does it matter.

We need to do more research on chemotherapy ....

I avoid doctors and hospitals.....I told my husband if any happens to me take me to Oregon where compassionate passing is legal! And do not call it assisted suicide! There is no moral delema in helping one to pass, but there is allowing one to suffer!

I'm a retired mental health professional who is looking into volunteering for an organization that provides hospice care services. This was very informative and helpful.

Watching the grandson watch his gmother in the hospital hooked up to all the tubes and vent was hard. I am a retired ER nurse of 30 years. I now may want my wonderful son to watch this and let him know...dont hook me up to machines...let me go! Seen it too many times of family trying to hold on to those who should not be alive. Only thing keeping them alive is machines. NOT FOR ME!

It's stupid that people won't discuss death and dying much earlier in life than we tend to do. It happens to all of us eventually. Why this huge taboo, over some thing that we all know will definitely happen. I am not old but I have quite the list of chronic illnesses that are painful and debilitating, and they seem to invite their other little friends along for the free ride. I know single handedly they are not likely to kill me in a screaming hurry. The treatments might eventually get me and complications might too. More likely though, I'll die the death of a thousand paper cuts. Just getting incrementally worse off every minute of every day. Quality of life dignity and autonomy is all it's about for me. When I feel like I have had enough there will be no discussion with medical folk. I've seen enough of them to know I wouldn't want the vast majority of them around in a crisis. My family know my wishes around death and dying and also how stubborn I am and they have known that for the longest time. I made my way into the world and I will find my way out. Hopefully not kicking and screaming and and covered in my own snot and sh-t. All the best................

My mother had an advance directive when she passed in 2011. She wanted to go. It was difficult. My brother passed last year after being diagnosed with cancer and being in the intensive care unit for three months. He was on breathing and feeding tubes. It was horrible seeing him like that. He didn't have an advance directive. That was hard on us his siblings, making the best decision for him. I have an advance directive.

i would sign a DNR document with no hesitation if there's no possibility for a recovery.

Very good, informative, thought provoking. Well worth the time it takes to watch. Thank you!

The body knows how to live and it knows how to die.

This was really excellent, thank you.

My mother died a horrible death she had pancreatic cancer she didn't eat or drink anything for 14 days because of the morphine they were giving her we begged the guardian that buy them to make her comfortable with at least an IV. She refused so we called hospice and they were willing to take her to the hospital to put an IV and make her comfortable but she had to go back to the nursing home / hospice. Again the guardian ad litem refused that treatment she suffered a lot I'll never forget that rest in peace my mother till we see each other again I love you your daughter 😪