Fingerprint Legacy Cards

Purpose and goals:

Fingerprint Legacy Cards are an intervention to provide a gentle, meaninful art-based opportunity for patients at end-of-life and their families to preserve a tangible connection. Fingerprints serve as a symbol of presence, individuality, and enduring relational bonds. Creating small legacy cards offers a way to honor identity, support anticipatory grief, and create a keepsake that carries emotional, spiritual, and relational significance. This intervention supports dignity, memory-making, and connection during end-of-life transitions.

• To support emotional connection and meaning-making between the dying individual and their loved ones through a simple, intimate creative act.

• To facilitate legacy building with a tangible piece of art for remembrance rituals.

• Foster a sense of continuity and presence through symbolic imagery and personalized messages accompanying fingerprints.

Theoretical Rationale:

Research from (Lowe & Pratt, 2016) describes how creating legacy objects can promote meaning, dignity, and relational comfort in hospice contexts. 10.1136/bmjspcare-2016-001245.62

• Fingerprints preserve connection and engages somatic memory and offers both patient and loved ones a physical imprint of connection.

• For patients who may find verbal expression difficult (due to fatigue, dysphoria, or cognitive decline), creating fingerprint legacy cards or art externalizes presence and identity through form and texture.

Facilitation:

Facilitator Preparation:

• Approach bedside gently and assess patient’s level of alertness or comfort.

• Introduce the intervention as a simple, non-intrusive way, offering choice and allowing family members to decline or modify the acitivty.

• Have materials prepared: small cards, cardstock, ink pads, wipes, pens/markers, etc.

Prompt: “I brought a simple art activity that many families find meaningful during this time. One way we create connection and memory here in hospice is through Fingerprint Legacy Cards. These small cards hold a fingerprint from your loved one — something unique to them — as a way to honor their life, presence, and the bond you share.”

Permission and Invitation:“This is completely optional, and we can take it slowly. Some families like to participate together while holding or touching their loved one. You can talk to them as we do this, share memories, or simply be present. There’s no right or wrong way.”

"Would you like to help place their hand or finger gently for the print? You can hold their hand, support their arm, or simply stay close—whatever feels right."

If the patient is conscious:

"We'd love for you to be part of this in whatever way feels right. You can guide your own finger, or I can gently assist."

If the patient is not conscious:

"Even though they may not be awake, touch and presence still matter. You're welcome to talk to them as we take the prints—words of love, gratitude, or comfort."

Instructions:

1. Create a calm moment

2. Support gentle touch

3. Inking the fingerprint

4. Stamping the card

5. Adding name, date, or quote

6. Invite family interaction

7. Closing the process