Hospice – Creating a Healing Journey Home

Most people fear death much less than they do pain – and loneliness. Compassionate spiritual care provides relief for patient and family, much like the effective pain management of palliative care. The anxiety of approaching death is relieved by honest exploration of feelings, resolution of disturbed relationships and completion of unfinished business. Retreating from the hectic pace of normal life allows space for forgiveness, acceptance, reconciliation and celebration. There is an opening for increased intimacy with loved ones and enhanced relationship with loving allies in the unseen world, allowing the dying person to transition with comfort and support on both sides of the veil. This kind of completion facilitates the healing release of appropriate grief, which is actually a celebration of the life and mutual lessons.

Barbara Snow is a Spiritual Care Counselor through the Hospice program of Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek, CA. She is available for spiritual care for the dying and their loved ones and to perform ceremonies for the dead and living.