During a time of serious illness, family members are already confronted with difficulties, ranging from financial constraints of medical care to emotional upheavals from an impending loss.  It would be an added burden for them to be subjected to the sensitive task of trying to figure out the wishes or best interests of their loved ones.

There is a possibility that family members may experience conflict and hostility in trying to figure out what their loved ones want and do not want towards the end of life. Sometimes, family members are confronted with guilt feelings in foregoing life-sustaining treatments even when death is quite imminent. All these dynamics could strain relationships and could even leave some families in a squabble. This ugly situation can be prevented from happening through advance care planning.