The Final Journey: A Model to Honor Veterans and Comfort their Families at End of Life

Abstract: 1. Describe the 6-step model on how to honor Veterans after their death on an inpatient hospice unit. 2. Recite the chaplain's military speech during the final journey. The final journey was developed to honor Veterans who pass on the inpatient hospice unit at the West Palm Beach VAHCS and to provide comfort to families. A six step process was developed by the hospice interprofessional team and is carried out for each Veteran to honor their final journey. The West Palm Beach VAHCS with input from hospice personnel and Military Chaplain has designed a 6-step model to honor Veterans at their death through a processional and brief ceremony. the protocol is as follows: Step 1) The Veteran is placed on a gurney by the funeral home and the body is draped with the American flag positioned so that the stars on the flag cover the heart. Step 2) The procession begins at the door to the Veteran's room and is led by the hospice chief in a slow cadence to the facility entrance. Following the draped Veteran are family, friends, and hospice staff. The final person in the processional is a nurse ringing a signing bowl. 3) The procession stops at the exit and the Chaplain reads the Veteran's legal name, branch of service and service dates. 4) A brief selection is read by the Chaplain from the book of Psalms (most commonly the 23rd Psalm) or other spiritual reading selected by the family. 5) A final salute is rendered by all present. Hand salute by Veterans or hand over the heart by non-Veterans. The chaplain reads "We thank you for your honorable and faithful service! Your watch stands relieved. We have the Watch!" Final Step 6) Veterans, if present stand at attention and salute while non-Veterans place their hand over their heart as the hearse door is opened, the body is placed, and the van door is closed. The family receives the American flag. The Ceremony honors the Veteran but also focuses on the grieving family by allowing them to see their loved one so honored for their military service. The WPB VAHCS Final Journey ceremony can serve as a model for other hospice facilities after the death of a Veteran in both VA and non-VA settings.

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