music-thanatology
Music-thanatology is a musical practice of care for the dying. Music-thanatologists come to the bedside of the dying person with mid-sized harps that are portable and fit into the smallest of spaces. We play our own compositions and arrangements and sing. We are not part of any faith tradition.
Music-thanatology offers a slowing down of time and an awareness of the present. Music-thanatologists uniquely respond to the quality and rate of the dying person’s body rhythms (breath, heart, movement). Many have experienced the feeling of floating, the easing of pain, and the ability to breathe deeper. Family, friends and caregivers of the dying person benefit from this musical expression of care as well. The intimacy and beauty of this work allows a vulnerability to arise, emotions to be released, and the experience becomes a period of rest and peace.
Alzheimer’s patients, people with cancer and people who are termed “unresponsive” have all benefited from music-thanatology. I have played for those being taken off life support interventions, people who are alone, and for children. Sometimes I have the opportunity to play for people many times over the course of the year and other times I only play once. I have also played for people who are not dying but are facing life threatening diseases. I have played for bone marrow transplant patients, people receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy and those experiencing grief.
To further explore if a music-thanatology session is right for you or someone you care about, please call (415) 515-8104.