What are the last rites?

In ordinary speech, last rites means whatever a priest does for a dying person. The Church's own arrangement has three parts, in order: the sacrament of Penance where the person is able to make a confession, then Anointing of the Sick, then the Eucharist received as Viaticum.

Viaticum comes from the Latin for provision for a journey. The Catechism describes Communion received at this point as "the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection," and says that "the Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of the earthly journey."

That ordering has a practical consequence families often miss. Because anointing normally comes before Viaticum, and because Viaticum requires the person to be able to receive Communion, waiting until someone is unmistakably dying often means waiting until Viaticum is no longer possible.

Only a priest can hear a confession or anoint. A deacon or a properly appointed lay minister can bring Viaticum.

If death has already occurred, anointing is not given, but a priest will still come to pray with the family and lead prayers for the dead. Calling is worth doing either way.