Music Thanatology - Music as Therapy at the End of Life
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Music to Serve those Who Are Dying
Music Thanatology is the practice of using music to comfort, calm and relieve the suffering of someone in the final stages of life; it is using music to ease the passage of someone who is terminally ill or dying.
Since Music has been a part of my life, I think if I was in my final stages of life, I would like to be hearing soothing, healing music.
As a discipline, Music Thanatology has a thirty year history; it is considered to be sub-specialty of palliative medicine.
The practice of using music as a way of comforting, calming and relieving suffering is one that dates back to the Greek temples and monastic infirmaries of the Middle Ages.
Quote from Sacred Flight
A Palliative Music Practice for End of Life Care
- Your music touched our souls and helped comfort and soothe all of us in the room...it helped ease Mom's pain and her passing.
You are clearly in touch with your music - your voice blended splendidly with the harp. It was exquisite and did all of us a world of good in our time of grief.
What a wonderful service you provide for those who are mourning the death of a dear one.
Source. Sacred Flight. 2007. What People are Saying About SacredFlight and Music Thanatology.
The Goals of Music Thanatology
Using Music in the Care of the Dying
Source:
Therese Schroeder-Sheker. 1996. In Brief: What is Music-Thanatology?. Chalice of the Repose.
- Relief of acute and chronic physiological pain and/or spiritual or interior suffering.
- The creation of the supportive conditions which can facilitate reconciliation and meaning in the face of mortality and suffering.
- A blessed or peaceful or conscious death which is returned back into the fullness of life and the whole human life cycle.
- The transformation of the personal, familial, medical, cultural, and community experiences of death.
Graceful Passages: A Companion For Living And Dying on Amazon
Graceful Passages: A Companion for Comfort And Inspiration (Wisdom of the World Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Graceful Passages: A Companion For Living And Dying is a collection of sensitive readings from a variety of sources on the experience of mortality, set to timeless music of compassion.
The set includes two CD's as well as a book of lyrics.
Graceful Passage is used and recommended by many hospice programs and end-of-life care providers.
What is Music Thanatology?
Music to Soothe the Dying
- What is Music Thanatology?
- A discussion about Music Thanatology from the Chalice of the Repose.
- What is Music Thanatology?
- A lengthy discussion from the Music Thanatology Association.
- The Music Thanatology Association International
- Information on the The Music Thanatology Association International.
Thought on Music Thanatology
What is a Music Thanatologist?
Those Who Share Music with the Dying
A Music Thanatologist is a person who works with people who have received a terminal diagnosis, or have usually approximating six months remaining or are actively dying in the final 24-48 hours.Music Thanatologists specialize in providing musical care to sooth and calm dying patients as well as their loved ones.
Photo Source: Francis Valadj. Harp. Royalty Free Use.
Featured Music Thanatologists
Those Who Care for the Dying
- Chalice of the Repose The Voice of Music-Thanatology
- Sacred Flight A palliative music practice for end of life care.
- Harp Spirit Music to Soothe the Soul.
Harpists from Flickr
harpist
A blind harpist, Mex...
Harp Player
Tight Crop of Female...
Serene. Harpist, fem...
Using Music at the End of Life
Music used as a complementary care modality, can help address the need for comfort during the heightened stress of serious illness and end-of-life care.Music helps to create an intimate space for the transitioning person, his or her family and if in the hospital setting the attending medical staff.
The harp is one of the oldest instruments used when someone is dying and still one of the most common ones used when working with a person in the process of dying.
Photo Source: Denise Leon. My Sweet Harp. Royalty Free Use.
Articles on Music Thanatology
When Music becomes Medicine
- Music as Medicine
- An article from the Register Guard on using "Music As Medicine."
- Harp is Medicine for the Soul
- An article from the Seattle Times on the Harp being medicine for the soul.
- Prescriptive Medicine
- An article from the Santa Fe New Mexican on the Members of Santa Fe's Circle of Love play music to terminally ill patients.
- A Song for the Dying
- An article from U.S. Catholic looking at the work of Therese Schroeder-Sheker.
Hearing the Inspirational Therese Shroeder-Sheker
Founder of Music Thanatology
I had the privilege of seeing and hearing Therese Schroeder-Sheker speak at a Conference in the mid 90's about the Chalice of the Repose Project.She was such an inspiration, talking about pursuing her dreams--the dreams of being able to provide musical care to the dying, but not knowing exactly how to do it.
Watching the Chalice of the Repose evolve over the years as a means of reaching this goal has been inspiring for me.
Photo Source: Chalice of Repose Project. Therese Schroeder-Sheker: Concert & Recording Artist
What is a Music Vigil?
- What is a Music Vigil?
- A brief article from the Music Thanatology Association International.
- The First Vigil
- The First Vigil: The Birth of Music-Thanatology
- Healing & Curing
- Healing and Curing: Musical-Sacramental Midwifery
Quote on the Emergence of a New Field
Music Thanatology a Sub-Specialty of Palliative Medicine.
- The growing desire for a death with meaning and dignity has encouraged the emergence of a field of palliative medicine aptly called music-thanatology.
Professor of Religion
Photo Source: Music Thanatology Association International.
Music and Resources from Therese Schroeder-Sheker
Rosa Mystica
Amazon Price: $15.45 (as of 07/10/2009)
In Dulci Jubilo
Amazon Price: $15.45 (as of 07/10/2009)
Chalice of the Repose Project
For More information on the Chalice of the Repose
- Chalice of Repose Project Official Website
- The official website of the "The Voice of Music-Thanatology" Music Thanatology, Care for the Dying
- The Chalice of Repose Online Gift Shop
- A link to the Chalice of Repose Secure Online Gift Shop.
Quote from Sacred Flight
A Palliative Music Practice for End of Life Care
- The harp led the angels to us that day
and provided us calm and peace
in such a distressing time.
We were enriched with comfort
by the strings of the harp.
Source. Sacred Flight. 2007. What People are Saying About SacredFlight and Music Thanatology.
Photo Source: Seer. Angel 2. Royalty Free Use.
Sacred Flight
A palliative music practice for end of life care
SacredFlight is a not-for-profit organization of certified music-thanatologists. This organization offers the prescriptive qualities of live music with harp and voice at the bedside of people who are terminally ill and dying.They serve patients in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and private residences in the greater Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area.
Sacred Flight - A Music Thanatology Practice
A Palliative Music Practice for End of Life Care
- SacredFlight - Home Page
- The home page for SacredFlight is a music-thanatology practice for end of life care.
- SacredFlight in the Southeast Examiner Article
- This article from 2003 looks at SacredFlight as being the invisible guests for those who are dying.
Books on Using Music at the End of Life Available on Amazon
Music Therapy in Palliative Care: New Voices
From the University of WittenHerdecke, UK. Includes some of the work by music therapists working in different approaches and different countries. Shows how valuable the inclusion of music therapy in palliative care has proven to be.
Amazon Price: $33.25 (as of 07/10/2009)
Enhancing Cancer Care: Complementary Therapy and Support
Enhancing Cancer Care is a practical, evidence-based guide to complementary cancer therapies, also described as natural or holistic therapies. More and more patients are turning to these therapies as there is now considerable evidence that they can help with symptom-control and quality-of-life, and that some may also extend survival.
Includes a chapter on using music as a complementary therapy.
Amazon Price: $55.80 (as of 07/10/2009)
Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life
Megory Anderson founder of the Sacred Dying Foundation in San Francisco wrote Sacred Dying to help people create rituals for the end of life. She lists the tools for rituals (such as holy water, incense, and markers and paper for writing final thoughts).
There is even an entire chapter devoted to music--a powerful tool in healing and transcendence.
Amazon Price: $15.75 (as of 07/10/2009)
Harp Music Embrace
Christine Magnussen - Harp Music
- Christine Magnussen's beautiful harp music
embraces the listener
like a blanket to comfort
and bring a sense of peace.
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS
Photo Source: Modified Microsoft Image.
Harp Spirit
Music to Soothe the Soul
- Harp Spirit - Relaxing Therapeutic Harp Music
- Deeply soothing relaxation harp music acclaimed for hospice, massage and stress relief.
- On Wings of a Dove - Harp Music to Soothe the Soul
- Harp music on CD that provides relaxing music therapy for anxiety, stress, massage, pain, cancer, hospice, or meditation.
- Therapeutic Harp Music to Soothe the Soul
- An article about Harp music. Relaxing music therapy that can be used for for anxiety, stress, massage, pain, cancer, hospice, or meditation.
Quote from an Anonymous User
A Quote about Harp Spirit.
- Beautiful and soothing.
The first time I heard this CD [Harp Spirit] was when the hospice nurse brought a boom box into my Mother's room during the days before her death.
We played this CD many times and found it soothing and relaxing during the long hours of our vigil, while our Mother drifted in and out of sleep.
She had been a music lover all her life and I am thankful that this beautiful music was the last she listened to.
Music Used at the End of Life on YouTube
Lisa Rae Music Therapy
Someone You Should Know-story of college student aspiring to be a 'transitional coach' with music therapy
Runtime: 4:09
2653 views
7 Comments:
More about Lisa Rae Eisenman
- Someone You Should Know: Lisa Rae Eisenman
- The transcript of the news feature on Lisa Rae from WAOW TV9 in Wausau, WI.
- In Back of Beyond: Lisa Rae Eisenman
- Another short article on Lisa Rae on the "In Back of Beyond" blog.
Music to Use to Soothe at the End of Life
This list is a collection of soothing music that I have found which can be used to comfort people and aid in their final transition.
Gifts of the Angels
There is an ethereal out-of-this world quality to this music on this CD. Listening to it there is a sense that of floating out in space and hearing the angels sing. Somehow in Gifts of the Angels Steven Halpern managed to capture the voices of the angels.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Angel Voices: Libera In Concert
Libera is a group of young boys with angelic voices. The music is soothing and comforting combining mystical chords and beautiful harmonies. The voices of angels seem to emanate from this young group of London school boys.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Transitions
Steven Halpern's music on this CD was written to provide comfort and solace during times of transitions. The music "creates a safe and supportive ambiance, a sacred sonic space for the prayers, meditation and mindfulness that support us and give us hope."
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/10/2009)
LiberaVisions
The music of Visions is a unique, exquisite sound from a young boys who make up the group Libera. The music is soothing and comforting combining mystical chords and beautiful harmonies to bring many classical pieces to a new audience.
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/10/2009)
A Look at Music Therapy
A lens focusing on the related field of music therapy.-
Music Therapy - A Harmonious Complementary Therapy
-
According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quali...
Reader Feedback on Music Thanatology
Your place for comments, messages, ideas and feedback
What do you think about the field of Music Thanatology? If you could plan your death, would you want someone playing soothing music as you made your transition?
Be sure to leave your comments, rank the site, pass on the word about the site (email) and leave a message (Reader Feedback).
The_Book_Garden wrote...
I'd never heard of this before so thanks for providing some really good info on it. Also thanks for joining the 'complementary health' group!
Posted February 13, 2008
jasmineann wrote...
Thank you for this most interesting information. I had not heard of Music Thanatology before. From my experience with loved ones dying I think it would be most helpful and soothing.
Posted October 14, 2007
by Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...
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