A UK study of 19 elderly volunteers participating in a 12-week training program for providing companionship to dying patients showed that considering their own views about death and dying is an important component of serving in this role. Evaluation of the trainees’ diary entries focused on key themes such as reflections about dying alone, the importance of being present, self-awareness, personal loss, the meaning of life, self-preservation and coping strategies.

This article appears in the December 2017 issue of Natural Awakenings.