I have been present at several death rituals of hospice patients. As a hospice volunteer in Detroit nursing homes, I seldom see my patients’ relatives and friends until there is a death ritual. Most of my patients have few visitors. The closure that takes place at the death ritual is often viewed as a final expression of care for relatives and friends of the deceased. However, research shows that hospice workers also benefit from such rituals. Not only do death rituals provide us with closure and an outlet for grief, they also decrease our risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Attending death rituals of our patients can help us. Perhaps that has been your experience.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
"Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog"
I have been present at several death rituals of hospice patients. As a hospice volunteer in Detroit nursing homes, I seldom see my patients’ relatives and friends until there is a death ritual. Most of my patients have few visitors. The closure that takes place at the death ritual is often viewed as a final expression of care for relatives and friends of the deceased. However, research shows that hospice workers also benefit from such rituals. Not only do death rituals provide us with closure and an outlet for grief, they also decrease our risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Attending death rituals of our patients can help us. Perhaps that has been your experience.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
"Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog"
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