Notes for Caregivers

A person in the final days or hours of life is considered alive in all respects. It is forbidden to bring on or hasten his death. Doing so is considered shedding blood. Proper halachic guidance in this area is extremely important, for these are very severe matters in Jewish law. Before making any medical decisions, one should seek the advice of an experienced rabbi who specializes in this area of Jewish law.

When death is imminent, it is forbidden to touch or move the person, except to provide life-saving medical intervention and/or to provide water to drink.

It is forbidden for the family to prepare for the funeral while the person is still alive. (Writing a will and arranging for a plot, may be done in advance.)