Being with your loved one as death draws near can gift you the opportunity of saying things you've always wanted to say, or in some cases, repairing relationships that may have been damaged when the course of life got in the way. There is no necessity to say anything, but reflecting first - maybe on your own or with another family member or friend - will give you time to approach some of the more difficult conversations with a sense of calm, consideration and care.

The end of a loved one's life doesn't have to be a time jam-packed full of sorrow. We can try to create some special moments, that could be going to your loved one's favourite restaurant, pub or even to the beach if your loved one is able to do so. But special moments don't only have to come in the form of going somewhere. Special moments can come in the form of great conversation or being together with all your nearest and dearest in the company of your loved one.

It may feel like the most difficult thing to do, but being with your emotions and feeling how you really feel is one of the most important things you can do during this time. It's natural to feel grief, to feel low and to feel sad. It's natural to feel anxious or fearful. You don't have to be ashamed of feeling this way. Distorting how you really feel will only lead to inner conflict and further frustration. Instead be compassionate for yourself, and where you can, talk with others about your experience.

Sometimes it's not easy to be all alone, by yourself, in a whirlpool of emotions. Sometimes you need to have a sounding board, a comfort blanket or someone to help you with any care you may be providing for a loved one. Having a support network set up around you, people who can help you with your day to day activities, can provide you with emotional support, or help you share the load can be invaluable, and will help you to remain yourself through this most difficult time.

The subject of inheritance is something that needs to be discussed while your loved one is still alive. Most people have a will, but if this is not the case, you will need to have a discussion together with your nearest and dearest to discuss which assets go where. Assets aren't always financial - there may be something really special that you'd like to keep and this is why these discussions are super important. For formality, you will need to talk to a lawyer, a financial adviser or an asset manager too just to make sure there is no debate when the time comes.

Many of us now have an idea of what we want our funeral to look like, and while you have time with your loved one, you can speak about this with them to get an idea of what type of funeral they want. You can also speak to them about the idea of a funeral plan, where they can detail exactly what funeral they would like and how they can secure their future. By getting a funeral plan or funeral arrangements in place, you and your loved one can rest assured that when the time comes, everything will be taken care of and there will be no unnecessary and added stress.

Anticipatory grief is an experience many of us go through when we know a loved one is coming to the end. But there are ways to manage anticipatory grief and there is support out there.

It's never a nice feeling thinking about your own death, but most of us have plans regarding what will happen to our estate and what will happen at our funeral.

Whether you're planning for yourself or someone else, funeral plans are worth considering as they allow you to cement the funeral arrangements at a less stressful time.