At Compass Hospice, spiritual care is about far more than prayer—it’s about presence, compassion, and ensuring that patients and families feel supported, connected, and seen during life’s most meaningful moments.
“I think when most people think of me as a chaplain for hospice, they would obviously associate me being there to provide spiritual support in terms of prayer, familiarizing someone with the Bible or reading scripture,” Compass chaplain Robyn Brown shares. “And of course I do a lot of those things on a daily basis, but a hospice chaplain should go above and beyond that.”
While many people associate hospice chaplaincy with reading scripture or offering prayers, the reality is far more expansive. At Compass, our chaplain, Robyn Brown, provides deeply personalized care that reflects each patient’s beliefs, values, and wishes—often helping them stay connected to their faith and traditions when they can no longer attend services.
“For many patients, being able to participate in their faith, even from their bedside, is incredibly important,” said Robyn. “My role is to meet them where they are and make that possible.”
That support can take many forms. At Compass, Robyn has brought communion to patients who are unable to attend church, offer prayer, or provide quiet companionship. “A large majority of our patients are in that position where they can’t go to church,” Robyn states. “So I do these things they typically do at church with them physically not being able to get there. Because after all, that was a huge part of Jesus’ ministry - he was reaching out and meeting people where they are, not expecting them to come to him.”
During significant seasons such as Lent, she’s helped patients participate in meaningful traditions like Ash Wednesday, including the imposition of ashes, ensuring patients remain connected to their faith community.
Spiritual care also extends to life’s most sacred milestones. There was one specific instance where Robyn had been called upon to perform a baptism. This was something she hadn’t done before but it was important to the patient facing the end of life. “I’ve also been asked to do a wedding.” Robyn states, “It didn’t happen but just the thought of being asked because that became a priority and important to someone during their final moments.”
In one particularly moving instance at Compass, our hospice staff came together to honor the life of a patient who would have otherwise gone unrecognized. A simple memorial service was held, bringing dignity and remembrance to a life that deeply touched those who provided care.
Community support is also a powerful part of hospice care. Through partnerships with local churches and organizations, chaplains can mobilize resources for families in need—ensuring that even in the most difficult circumstances, no one feels alone.
Beyond supporting patients, our spiritual care also extends to our hospice staff. Through counseling, one-on-one guidance, and regular gatherings like Bible study, Robyn fosters a spiritually nurturing environment at Compass. She provides care teams with the tools and support they need to process the emotional weight of their work and navigate personal challenges.“Our staff give so much of themselves every day,” Robyn said. “Offering them spiritual support is just as important as the care we provide our patients.”
At its heart, hospice spiritual care is about presence,making sure no one feels alone, unheard, or disconnected during life’s most vulnerable moments.
