THE DESIRE TO 'BE REMEMBERED AFTER DEATH' AMONG TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS

Background: The desire to be remembered after death is particularly relevant to terminally ill patients. This paper briefly presents findings on the wishes of terminally ill patients to be remembered after their death. Methods: The survey was conducted in Italy from December 2022 to May 2023 in hospice care facilities, involving 100 respondents who were patients in the terminal stage of illness. The aim of the survey was to gain a better understanding of the value that terminally ill patients attribute to the desire to be remembered after death, as well as the legacy they wish to leave behind. The survey was based on a qualitative research strategy, and the data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. Results: Most of the respondents expressed a desire to be remembered after their death, wishing to remain in the memories of their family, relatives, and friends. They hope to be recognized as important in the lives of those who remember them. Conclusion: Similar surveys can play a role in enhancing the quality of medical, psychological, and spiritual support for patients in hospice and palliative care. These surveys can shed light on important but often neglected topics like death and the wish for a lasting legacy.