End of life care: hospice, planning ahead and bereavement
In short
- End of life care helps you live as well as possible and die with dignity. It can be at home, in a hospice, care home or hospital.
- Talk about your wishes early. Write them down in a care plan. Ask about advance care planning, ReSPECT and DNACPR — these are about emergency treatment, not about stopping all care.
- Hospices and charities such as Marie Curie offer specialist support, including for families after a death.
Urgent? If someone is in danger or very unwell, call 999. For urgent medical help, call NHS 111 or contact your GP. This page is information only. It cannot give personal medical advice.
End of life care should help you live as well as possible until you die, and to die with dignity (NHS: what end of life care involves). This guide is for England.
Where care can happen
Depending on your needs and preferences, care can be:
- at home
- in a care home
- in a hospice
- in hospital
Ask your GP, specialist nurse or hospital team what is available locally. Hospices often support people at home as well as in a hospice building.
Advance care planning
It helps if your wishes are written down and shared with the people involved in your care, and reviewed as things change (NHS: what to expect). Planning can cover:
- where you would prefer to be cared for
- what matters most to you day to day
- treatments you would or would not want
- who should speak for you if you cannot (see lasting power of attorney on our dementia page — LPAs are for anyone who wants to plan ahead)
NHS England sets out universal principles for advance care planning. Some plans guide professionals; a valid advance decision to refuse treatment can be legally binding for the treatments it covers.
ReSPECT and DNACPR
- ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) is a plan made with you (or those close to you if you cannot take part). It records what should happen in an emergency, including recommendations about CPR.
- DNACPR means Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It applies only to CPR. It does not mean other care or treatment stops — for example pain relief, antibiotics or fluids still continue unless separately decided.
- Decisions should respect your wishes where possible and your best interests if you lack capacity.
Ask your doctor or nurse to explain any form in plain words before you agree to it. You can ask for a second opinion.
NHS Continuing Healthcare and fast track
If needs are mainly health needs, ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare. If someone is deteriorating quickly and nearing the end of life, a fast track pathway can put care in place quickly — often within 48 hours — without a checklist.
Bereavement support
Grief is personal. Support can come from your GP, hospice bereavement services, faith groups and charities. Marie Curie offers information and support for people living with a terminal illness and for families (Marie Curie). Cruse Bereavement Support is another free option many people use.
Free help
- NHS: end of life care
- Marie Curie
- Age UK — 0800 678 1602
- Hospice UK — find local hospices
- Cruse Bereavement Support
Information only. This is about England. It is not legal or medical advice. Talk to your care team about your own situation.
Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.
Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.
Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 29 October 2026.