What does a Hospice Chaplain Do?

Spiritual support during the end of life can help patients, family members, and even hospice staff navigate the emotional stress surrounding this transition. So many patients and families have spiritual and philosophical questions around the moment of death. Talking to a hospice chaplain–also known as a hospice minister or pastor–can smooth over some of the more jagged and tense emotions, making it a unique type of support for each person.

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That said, it is the same in that everyone can find different ways to receive comfort and freedom from fear and regret, all of which improve quality of life. A hospice chaplain works to understand a patient’s spiritual, emotional, and philosophical needs and offers dignity, support, and hope.

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What does a hospice chaplain do?

First and foremost, the hospice chaplain helps to address a patient’s emotional and spiritual pain points. However, as mentioned, they also work with a patient’s family–which includes the caregiver–and the hospice care team.

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A good hospice chaplain listens without judgment, and provides a safe space for those critical questions, struggles, and anxieties that happen during the end of life. No matter what a patient’s own religious or spiritual beliefs are, a chaplain can help gather resources to ease any distress a patient has.

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Typically,  they do a number of things, like:

• Reach out to local pastors or priests within the patient’s own spiritual practice
• Help to create calming daily rituals
• Share positive meditations that are meaningful
• Lead worship or prayer
• Provide support to families
• Work in tandem with the hospice care team to fill in any spiritual or emotional gaps in care.

The chaplain can also relay any specific requests from the family to the care team that affect palliative care. In addition, they are in close communication with other staff members and regularly meet to offer ideas. Having a hospice chaplain closely integrated with the hospice team can promote a sense of dignity and well-being for everyone involved in palliative care.

As expected, a chaplain makes a point to get to know each patient’s particular religion or spirituality. They may ask questions to better support the family and patient, such as:

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• Patient’s and family's faith
• If the patient has been through a loss of faith
• Any worries about death
• Concerns about what happens after death
• Beliefs about life
• What types of prayer or spiritual rituals they may partake in
• The patient’s life experiences, memories, or stories that bring joy

The chaplain can offer religion-specific care either from their own experience or with appropriate spiritual resources from other religions. But if you don’t have a specific faith or don’t consider yourself spiritual, that’s OK too. A hospice chaplain is trained to be a great listener to all people, regardless of beliefs.  

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What are the spiritual components of end of life care?

An illness or end of life can raise new questions, causing someone to think about and see their own lives differently. Both patients and families might experience doubt in their faith, wondering why or how this could be happening to them and their family. Similarly, they may want to know how others have faced similar circumstances, how to address these new questions, and talk about these new feelings.

Unsurprisingly, patients and families can struggle with feelings like:

• Regret
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Guilt

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There are also many physical side effects related to grief.  This is where a chaplain steps in, to guide conversations and open up channels for people to discuss their feelings without fear or shame. It doesn’t matter whether they relate to a particular religion or no religion at all. It bears repeating that the hospice chaplain is there to support everyone during end of life care.

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What if you aren’t a spiritual person?

Anyone can have anxiety or stress about dying, fear of the unknown, and may be worried about how their family members will carry on without them.

End-of-life spiritual care can address these worries and provide an outlet for them. Hospice chaplains can listen without judgment and even put together daily rituals that bring peace, positive readings, or simply sit with a person to offer comfort when they are feeling alone.

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For patients, it’s all about dignity

As their spiritual and philosophical needs are being met, the patient can experience less anxiety,fear, and ultimately, more dignity as they face death. When they are able to be at peace, patients can also feel more connected to family and caregivers.

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Families learn how to manage feelings

The hospice minister can support the family’s needs as well, by providing a shoulder and an ear in regards to their emotions and feelings of guilt, fear, sadness, and stress. Chaplains can bring actionable guidance about spirituality, how to lean on it when things get difficult, and  learn ways to express their own concerns.

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Caregivers don’t need to shoulder stress alone

Caregivers can also experience grief, sadness, and stress while  pouring themselves into a patient’s needs. Much like with families, a hospice minister is available to listen to caregivers, staffers, and others involved in caring for the patient. Hospice staff are not immune to loss; they become attached to patients, and grieve when they die.

After a loved one has passed, a chaplain can still support the family throughout their grief journey. It isn’t just limited to hospice, either. Chaplains serve as soundboards as well when it comes to planning funerals.

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About Hospice Chaplains: FAQs

Families may also have questions for the hospice chaplain and what they do. Is the hospice chaplain a minister or pastor? Do they get paid? What religion are they?

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Q: Is a hospice chaplain a minister or pastor?

They work in a similar manner to pastoral care, offering spiritual and emotional support through all of the questions, feelings, and challenges that arise during end of life care. They have been specially trained not just in spirituality, but they are also trained to work within a medical setting, and specifically with hospice care.

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Q: What religion are they?

Overall, a hospice chaplain is there to be the spiritual guide through challenging and changing times. They may have their own personal religious beliefs, but are open to working with each patient’s spirituality without judgment. They are a non-judgmental listener, offering the gifts of presence, hope, and spiritual and emotional support.

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Q: Do hospice chaplains get paid for their responsibilities?

Most of the time, hospice chaplains are hired by the hospice organization to care for their own patients, caregivers, families, and staff. Likewise, they are also paid by the organization to provide spiritual care, much like nurses and others are paid staffers.

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They can offer information and provide cohesiveness to end of life care by being a bridge between patients, families, caregivers, and medical staff. A hospice chaplain is there to come alongside you and support all of your needs without judgment.

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Don’t be afraid to speak to your hospice minister, ask them questions, express your needs, and share your concerns at every stage of palliative care. They’re there to support you before, during, and after end of life care.