Table 5.

Codes and discourse of patients and families on the need for spiritual support in the end-of-life process.

Dimension	Codes	Cites	Informant	Discourse
Spiritual support	Meaning of life	10	Patient	PA9: “At times like this, you learn to appreciate each day, to value the little things. The only thing you care about is whether you’ve been happy and whether your family is okay… leaving that resolved, it doesn’t matter what”.
		9	Relative	FA2: “It helps us understand that life has a beginning and an end and how important it is to help close doors before we die…”.
	Accompaniment	11	Patient	PA15: “Being able to count on the support of the hospital chaplain, who was constantly by my side, listening to my concerns and reflections has given me comfort and helped me find peace in the midst of uncertainty”.
		11	Relative	FA14: “There will be no days in life to be thankful for that nurse’s words. It was like opening the window and getting a shot of fresh air with the smell of eucalyptus that opens your lungs”.
	Resilience and reconciliation	7	Patient	PA11: “Over time, difficult conversations became opportunities to heal and find understanding. Solving problems and talking to people I was angry with not only brought clarity and peace to my own heart, but also strengthened the bonds with those around me. It was a liberation to know that I left nothing unsaid”.
		6	Relative	FA8: “I was born into a religious family and I was the black sheep, I got into drugs… My father and my family never gave me up…. I fell again and a few days before I died and thanks to the intervention of the professionals who helped me understand the importance of saying goodbye to him and asking for forgiveness…”.
	Spiritual growth	6	Patient	PA7: “As I go through this stage of my life, I feel a deeper connection to my surroundings. I have learned to appreciate the small moments and to find comfort in nature and in the love of my family. I feel at peace and in harmony with everything around me”.
		5	Relative	FA14: “It helps us understand that life has a beginning and an end and how important it is to help close doors before we die…”.
	Religious practices	13	Patient	PA16: “Facing this difficult time has given me the opportunity to grow and understand more about life and death, and has brought me closer to my religious beliefs and practices”.
	Farewell	11	Patient	PA2: “Before I die, I would like to talk to my children, even the one we haven’t spoken to for a long time”.
		10	Relative	FA6: “I was able to say goodbye to him… and that makes me feel better, I did for him everything he wanted and how he wanted it”. But I was able to do all this because they helped me do it, they taught me all the time how to act, thanks to their advice, their calls, their hugs… FA5: “When I went to see him at the hospital he thanked me for being with him. This will be the last time, I wait for you even if you are not in a hurry. We hugged”

Source: own elaboration.