The Spiritual Work of the Dying: A Framework and Case Studies

ABSTRACT

This article describes a systematic approach to understanding the spiritual work of the dying. It begins by defining “spirituality,” “spiritual care” and “spiritual work” in order to create a common vocabulary. The remainder of the article uses vignettes from clinical experience to create a framework for understanding not only the recurrent themes in the spiritual work being done by the terminally ill but the support and interventions of the spiritual counselor as well. These case experiences are clustered under four headings: “remembering,” “reassessing,” “reconciliation” and “reunion.” The article gives serious attention to the “supernatural” experiences of the dying as experienced by the hospice team. [Article copies available from The Haworth Document Delivery Seivice: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: [email protected]]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Barbara S. Derrickson

Rev. Barbara S. Derrickson, M-Div, BCC, ACPE, is Spiritual Care Coordinator, Professional HospiceCare. A member of the Pennsylvania Hospice Network and the National Hospice Organization, she currently serves as Chairperson for the Spiritual Caregivers of the Pennsylvania Hospice Network and is working to develop a hospice based program of Clinical Pastoral Education in Pennsylvania. With her husband, Paul, she edited Developing AIDS Policies: A Manual for Congregations. Most recently she and her husband co-authored “Assessing Pastoral Care Services for the Future.” The Caregiver Journal, the College of Chaplains. A Presbyterian minister, she is a Board Certified Chaplain of the College of Chaplains and a Certified Supervisor of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.