The Final Pass

We had a meeting with the International Undertaker first thing this morning trying to plan for the inevitable that no one wants to talk about but needs to be done.
We got to the hospital at 1000 to be met by 2 ashen faced nurses who exchanged looks that said it all.
I went into D's room to find his bed had been moved, his bed empty with the covers pulled off.
I knew, just knew what had happened without the staff telling me.
Despite wanting to be contacted if things took a turn for the worse and the staff having been trying to phone us on our phones - no calls were received or registered on our phones.

D had decided the time was right for him to leave on his own ?. he had left 4 hours before peacefully in his sleep.

These are "passes" that are issued to each visitor to allow them to visit a patient in the hospital.
The visiting system is so different to the UK
Report to reception, tell them who you are visiting and the ward and bed number. A "pass" is issued that has to be returned at the end of visiting. Progress to the Security Desk, show the pass to the guard who then supervises the elevators to the relevant ward.
13.00 - 16.00 family only
1600 - 1800 friends allowed as well

We handed these passes back at 12.00 for the last time and then left with an envelope of the remaining personal items that D left behind, so little to show for for such an eventful life.........