During the funeral service at the First Cemetery of Athens, Lena Papaligouras emotionally bid farewell to her father, Anastasis Papaligouras. She shared touching reflections on his battle with illness, emphasizing that his experiences illustrated true courage and dignity. Furthermore, she stressed the immense importance of being able to stay at home surrounded by loved ones, experiencing care, relief, and love during difficult times.

In her poignant speech, Lena recalled how her father departed this life holding the hand of his partner, Barbara. This moment encapsulated the essence of compassionate care, which she argues is not a luxury but a human right. She passionately called on the Greek government to initiate programs similar to those in several other countries that facilitate allowing patients to spend their final days at home, treated with dignity and comfort among their families.

Lena's comments raise significant questions about the adequacy of palliative care services in Greece and the need for systemic changes. She urged that a society’s true progress is measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable members, particularly those nearing the end of life. Her eloquent call to action resonates deeply with many who advocate for better health care policies and support services for patients and their families in their final days.