Coping when you are approaching the end of your life

This section explains how to get emotional support for you and your family if you need it.

Key facts

  • If you have been told you are approaching the end of your life you may have a huge range of emotions.
  • You are not alone. There are people who can support you.
  • Our specialist nurses on our free Support Line can provide emotional support and answer any questions you have.
  • Hospices and local cancer centres can also provide free emotional support.
  • Counselling can help you talk about your feelings in a safe space.
  • You can speak to someone about your beliefs and spirituality, such as a chaplain.
  • If you have financial worries, you can get advice and support from a range of charities including Citizens Advice.
  • The support we mention in this section is also available for your family.

It is natural to find it hard to deal with the news that you are approaching the end of your life. You may have lots of different emotions.

Who can support me?

It’s ok to ask for help. You don’t have to face it alone.

Your healthcare team may be able to provide emotional support as well as medical care. You may see a palliative care team, who can provide emotional support to you and your family. Read more about palliative care.

You can talk to someone about your beliefs or spirituality. Some people find it helpful to speak to a chaplain. They have links to all faith groups, either religious or non-religious. Most hospitals and hospices have a chaplain. Or you may wish to speak to your local faith leader.

Hospices, charities and local cancer centres, like Maggies, can provide free emotional support. For example, they may run group sessions where you can meet other people with cancer. Some, like Marie Curie, can also offer free emotional support at home. Ask your GP or nurse about any local services.

How can we support you?

You don’t have to face pancreatic cancer alone. Our specialist nurses on our free Support Line provide emotional support, and you can talk about your worries with them.

Find out more about how we can support you
Specialist nurse, Lisa, talks on the phone to offer support.
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Quotemarks Created with Sketch.

“My partner and I didn’t talk much about his feelings about the future, as we preferred to live in the here and now. But he found talking to a counsellor a huge help.”

Counselling

Counselling gives you a safe place to come to terms with your feelings and find ways to cope. It’s confidential, so you can be honest about how you feel.

Speak to your GP or nurse about what counselling is available. If you think counselling would help, try to get a referral as soon as possible as there may be a waiting list. Your local hospice may offer counselling.

What about financial help?

Finances can be a worry for people near their end of life.

Macmillan Cancer Support, and Citizens Advice provide expert advice and help with claiming financial support. Some hospices and palliative care teams have welfare rights advisors who can give advice about benefits.

We also have some tips that might help.

Questions to ask your medical team


  • What support is there to help me cope?
  • How can a counsellor help? Can you refer me?
  • What local services can help?

Published August 2024

Review date August 2027