Spiritual growth from supporting a person through the process of dying. Greater self-knowledge gained through supporting people in crisis. Volunteers are the backbone of the hospice team. They allow hospice to provide services it otherwise could not offer. Help people communicate by encouraging each person to say what he or she needs to say.
Volunteers help open the way for people to talk honestly.
Grieve with the family once the patient dies. Seeing the family all the way through the patient's death is part of the volunteer's role. They may attend the funeral or memorial service. Stay in contact with the family for over a year after the passing. This aspect of being a volunteer is very satisfying and gives the whole process a feeling of purpose and completion.