+1 here for the notion of talking about the end as openly as DH's stepmom wants and needs. When my father was dying of cancer many, many years go (I was in my teens), the subject of death was ignored, side-stepped, and glossed over to the point of absurdity. We all knew he was going to die, but my stepmother refused to let anyone mention it. So we all played this rather silly, exhausting game of pretending that some kind of miracle was going to happen. The result was a graceless and meaningless final chapter, filled with missed opportunities to cry and laugh together and say goodbye. The pretense served no purpose other than to bring my father's life to close on an inauthentic note. So, if DH's stepmother has decided to take a forthright approach to her last days, it would be super if the people around her can follow her lead and give her whatever she needs to wrap up her life on her terms. She'll appreciate knowing that she was able to set the tone for her remaining time. And for those left behind, knowing that they rose to the occasion will give them comfort down the line.