Spirituality means different things to different people but is essentially a belief in a higher meaning or purpose. For some people, it means being part of established religious beliefs and practices, such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism or Indigenous belief systems. For others, spirituality is expressed as a personal philosophy.
For many people at the end of life, spirituality is a source of comfort and strength. Others find their beliefs are challenged by their situation and no longer find comfort in their spirituality. In some cases, people may embrace a completely new belief system or one they had abandoned many years ago. Although many people do look for meaning at the end of their life, others are not interested in spirituality.
Talk about what you need
It may help to discuss your thoughts and feelings with a spiritual care practitioner (pastoral carer or chaplain). They may be part of the palliative care team and have the expertise to discuss spiritual issues, whatever your beliefs.
You may wish to discuss the meaning of life or your beliefs about death. A spiritual care practitioner can also provide companionship.
Following spiritual practices
Some people find comfort in prayer or meditation, and gain support from knowing that other people are praying for them or sending positive thoughts their way. Many religions have specific practices for when people are dying.
If you want to follow certain rites in a hospital, residential aged care home or palliative care unit, it’s best to discuss this with the staff in advance. They will be able to help you do this, and your customs can often become part of your palliative care plan.
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Fiona Wiseman, Senior Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Grace Berwald, Consumer; Peta Brydon, Metastatic McGrath Breast Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, NSW; Kate Bunyan, Social Worker, Psychosocial Lead, Cancer and Palliative Supportive Care, Canberra Region Cancer Centre, ACT; Hayden Christie, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Director Cancer Care Service and Clinical Lead of the VAD Service for Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, QLD; John Clements, Consumer; Claire Davies, Spiritual Care Practitioner, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Joanne Dean, Nurse Practitioner, PEACE Team, Clare Holland House, ACT; A/Prof Michael Franco, Medical Oncologist and Palliative Medicine Physician, Deputy Head – Monash Medical School, Monash University, VIC; Dr Sally Greenaway, WSLHD Director of Supportive and Palliative Care, Senior Staff Specialist Clinical Haematology and Clinical Ethics Service, NSW; Maree Grier, Clinical Psychologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Dr Catherine Joyce, National Manager, Advance Care Planning Australia; Mattesse Kitchin, Consumer; Penny Neller, Project Manager, End of Life Law for Clinicians, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD; Caitriona Nienaber 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Palliative Care Australia; A/Prof Joel Rhee, Head of Discipline of General Practice, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW.
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