"Help! My loved one is dying and my pastor can't come!"

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"My loved one is dying, and the pastor can't come, what do I do?"

Over the past few months, nursing homes and hospitals have been closed to visitors, and at times they won't let the pastor come in even when someone is nearing death. What can you do, even when pastor can't come?

Read the Bible
While it may seem that your loved one is unconscious or asleep, especially since they aren't talking with you and their eyes are closed, however, from my experiences, I've seen hearing improve as death looms closer. Even if they appear to be asleep, it's highly probable they can hear you. So open your Bible and read to them. It will comfort you and them.
Some suggested readings:
Psalms 6, 22, 23, 32, 38, 51, 102, 118, 130, 143
The passion and resurrection accounts: Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, John 18-21
Psalm 4:8
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 31:1
Psalm 73:26
Luke 2:25-32
John 3:16-17
John 10:14-28
Isaiah 53:4-5
Luke 23:39-43
John 11:21-27
Romans 14:7-9
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Revelation 7:9-17
1 Corinthians 15

Sing Hymns
Music has a way of bringing comfort to a situation in which the spoken word cannot. Many of our Lutheran hymns have been written with death and resurrection (both Christ's and ours) in mind. If you have a Lutheran Service Book, then I would recommend a few sections to you: Easter (457-490), Christmas (358-393), Trust, Hope and Comfort, Prayer (708-780), and Evening (877-891).
Otherwise, some specific recommendations I find particularly suitable:
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart 708
God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It 594
For All the Saints 677
Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying 516
O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright 395
O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is 372
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come 358
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth 438
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded 450
Upon the Cross Extended 453
Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands 458
Awake, My Heart, with Gladness 467
The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us 514
By Grace I'm Saved 566
God Loved the World So That He Gave 571
Jesus Loves Me 588
Jesus Sinnders Doth Receive 609
Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior 619
At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing 633
Jerusalem the Golden 672
Jerusalem, My Happy Home 673
Behold a Host, Arrayed in White 676
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me 683
Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus 685
O God, My Faithful God 696
I Am Jesus' Little Lamb 740
Jesus, Priceless Treasure 743
Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me 756

Pray
During emotional times, such as when your loved one is nearing death, it can be hard to find the words to pray. Simply praying: "Lord, have mercy!" is sufficient. If you're looking for something more, I would recommend these two resources:
This includes readings, psalms, prayers, hymns, the whole deal! When you finish it, you can just start right over and do it again.

The Great Litany has been a part of the church's prayer for centuries. When you need the words to plead God for mercy, this prayer is one of the best. 


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