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Before DeathOn the verge
A goses is someone who is extremely close to death and is about to pass. Jewish law forbids anyone from doing anything to hasten a person’s death; at the same time it requires all actions possible to comfort the dying person. A goses should try to say the Vidui (confession) before he or she dies.
Vidui - Jewish Confession
When a person is on the verge of death, they are encouraged to say Vidui and confess their sins and make peace with God. Confession includes regretting all sins committed during their lifetime, through speech, thought and deed. At the brink of death, a person recognizes that they are about to stand before God, The Creator and Judge. This confession does not require a rabbi. The Vidui prayer can be found in any Siddur (daily prayer book). If a dying person is unable to speak the words, someone else may do so on his or her behalf. The Vidui Hebrew prayer is based on Proverbs 28:13.
יג מְכַסֶּה פְשָׁעָיו, לֹא יַצְלִיחַ; וּמוֹדֶה וְעֹזֵב יְרֻחָם
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
Burial of Limbs
Traditionally, limbs should be buried. If a person has a limb amputated, the limb should be buried in the spot where the person will eventually be buried. The family should make sure that the amputated limb is not discarded by hospital authorities. Brighton Memorial Chapel can assist in the burial of a limb, if the need arises.
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