No one knows what to say to someone who is dying. My parents moved to Florida when they retired and us 3 children, me and my two brothers lived across the country. 3 weeks after I last saw my dad, he was dead. He lived in Florida and was having a rough time dealing with the loss of my mom who passed away in 2003, breast cancer, it came back after 13 years and ravaged her body. We flew my dad to Texas where my middle brother lives, after he fell and ended up in the hospital in Florida. Test after test came back. Cancer in the liver, throat, pancreas, everywhere. When my brother told him there was nothing they could do,he was dying, he could not comprehend that this was happening and kept asking why him. It was heartbreaking. I flew to Texas met up with my 2 brothers and by that time he was in hospice. Three days after I last saw him he died. My dad was a police officer in a very tough city in NJ. He worked undercover and after 30 years saw many things we only see on TV. He saved lives, delivered babies and I could imagine how devestated he must have been when he could not save his own life.I was always daddy's little girl no matter how old I was. Please, you need to tell him how much you love him, talk about the good times, laugh, cry and just hold or touch him. He knows your pain. I did this with my mom and dad. With my husband, after I took him off life support, sitting waiting for him to take his last breath, I climbed into bed with him, kissed him and told him it was OK to go... 4 minutes later he was gone. I hope this helps. Do what is in your heart.

Hold his hand...A LOT. Kiss him...A LOT. Tell him you love him...A LOT. Name how many ways he impacted your life. Name things that were important to you when you were young, and ask if he remembers that. Try to make every minute seem like a da. When the time gets near, tell him that he can leave in peace. That you will miss him, but will be fine. Tell him to wait for you on the other side. What ever your heart tells you to do, do it.... a lot. I am so sorry for you in this, I've been there, with many loved ones over the years. Years ago, I may have held back, but don't any more, and I don't regret anything that I said and did to try to make the passing easier or more comforting for them. Sending many huggs to you, Rainbow

The relationship I had with my father was one of hero worship. My father could do no wrong in my eyes. He wasnt a man who told you that he loved you, thought you should just know it. He told me for the first time he loved me when I was 19. It took a heart attack for that to come about. When we found out he had cancer I was in denial. He couldnt leave me. He was my protector, my rock, my friend, and most importantly my daddy. So, I sat down and wrote him a letter, 10 pages front to back. I told him everything in that letter. The times I was happy, the times I was hurt, the good, the bad, the ugly. When it became clear to me that his time was nearing I gave him that letter. My mother later told me that was the first time she has seen him cry!! They were married for 50 years the year he died. I miss my daddy so much!! You will never get over it. The years dull the pain somewhat but it never truly goes away. You learn to recognize things that you know only he would do and smile because you know he was with you for a brief second. If you ever need to talk I am here for you!!!! Embrace the time you have with him, make it special for you and your children. You have a lifetime to grieve for him, dont do it while he is still here. Much love to you and your family.

My Dad died in May2007, and i sat by his bed holding his hand as he took his last breath. What do you say?, anything you want him to know! You tell him everything, make sure he knows you love him, tell him those secret things you did as a young teenager, young adult, talk him through something he may not get to see.....let him know you are there and that he is a part of your life.
(((((hugs))))
It's not easy, but it is worth every tear, just love him and be there, thats all you can do!

So sorry to hear about your father(s). Be with him, love him, hold him.

I took a small tape recorder, and at various times of the day, taped small conversations between my dad and I. I have on tape him saying "I love you", and that he was proud of me, etc. That tape has been played over and over again, and has gotten me through a lot.

Take care of yourself!

Although you may not realize it now, you are lucky. You have been given the chance to say good bye, take more pictures, tell him you love him, hug him every chance you get. I would give anything to be able to do any of those things with my son.

He just needs to know you love him dearly. Assure him that he will be in your heart forever and, as Rainbow said, ask him to wait for you on the other side. Good luck - this is a hard one but you have a lot of good suggestions here that will help you.