Barbara Karnes, RN

Most people are never taught what to do in the final hours before death.

Can you touch them?
Can you cry?
Can children be in the room?
Can music play?
Can the dog lay on the bed?

Yes.

This new blog, I share gentle guidance for creating a meaningful goodbye at the bedside. ❤️

https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about/what-families-need-to-know-in-the-final-hours-before-death

What Families Need to Know in the Final Hours Before Death When someone is dying, families often don’t know what to do in the final hours. Barbara Karnes, RN shares gentle guidance for creating a meaningful, sacred goodbye at the bedside.

TOMORROW! TOMORROW! And I can't wait!
May 23 at 3pm PT / 6pm ET, I'll be joining director Johanna J. Lunn for a live conversation. We'll reflect on the film, share what we've seen in our own work, and answer your questions directly. Whether you're a caregiver, a clinician, or simply someone who wants to understand what the end of life actually looks like — there's a place for you in this conversation.
Reserve your spot here: https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/aod-may
Your ticket includes:
Access to the film until May 31st
Live conversation with Johanna and me on May 23
Recording of the conversation if you can't join live
Additional interview footage
A special 30% discount on my “End of Life Family Support Bundle”
Ask any questions you have live during the event, or send them in advance to Chelsea at [email protected]. I'll answer as honestly as I know how. When You Die
Reserve your spot here: https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/aod-may

When caregivers are alone, questions come.

“Is this normal?”
“What do I do now?”
“What did the nurse say?”

At the end of life, written guidance can become a lifeline—something families can return to when no professionals are there.

In this week’s blog, I share why these resources matter so deeply for caregivers:
https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about/when-caregivers-are-alone-why-written-guidance-matters-most

Why do dying people stop eating? This article explains how appetite naturally changes at end of life, why forcing food can create stress, and how caregivers can respond with greater understanding and peace: https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about/when-a-dying-person-stops-eating-food-at-end-of-life

We have an important update for you regarding the streaming event for Architecture of Death: The Inner World of Dying. When You Die Sometimes life rearranges our plans, something we are all too familiar with. My live conversation with Johanna J. Lunn has been rescheduled from May 16th to May 23rd at 6pm ET. We’re sorry for any inconvenience and hope you can still join us for this special event. If you can’t make it live, it will be recorded and you can send in your questions in advance to [email protected]
The good news is this also means more time to experience the film — the viewing window has now been extended through May 31st, giving you an extra two weeks to watch and reflect before the live conversation.
Get your ticket here: https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/aod-may

Here is a video on how to use Gone From My Sight: The Dying Experience:

Barbara Karnes Books, Inc. 189 likes, 22 comments. "How To Use GONE FROM MY SIGHT: The Dying Experience booklet"

Dying doesn’t follow a calendar.

There is a process to dying.

Yet many people are given exact timelines like “six months.”

Those numbers can create tremendous fear.

Understanding the natural signs of approaching death is far more helpful.

More here-- https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about/why-doctors-can-t-predict-when-someone-will-die