As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week (5 – 11 May), we’re shining a light on how our community team supports people from different backgrounds with compassion and respects at the end of life.  

In this blog, Heather Maurice-Smith, one of our Palliative Care Support Workers, shares how we tailor care in the community to meet different religious and cultural needs.  

From understanding the importance of quick burials in some faiths to navigating family dynamics shaped by tradition – Heather’s story shows the importance of listening, learning, and making sure people feel respected in their final days.  

At Ashgate Hospice, while some people receive care on our Inpatient Unit, most of our patients receive care in their own homes – the place they often feel most comfortable.  

When someone is approaching the end of their life, their cultural or religious beliefs can be a really important part of how they want to be cared for. That’s why we take the time to understand what matters to each patient and the people important to them.  

One of the ways we do this is through something called Advance Care Planning. It’s a conversation where we ask people to share anything that’s important to them – including spiritual or religious needs.  

For instance, in some religions like Islam and Judaism, it’s important for the person to be buried very quickly, often within 24 hours. For example, if someone dies on a weekend or bank holiday when many services are closed, we make sure to contact all the services involved – like GPs and district nurses – and put a clear note in the person’s medical record so everyone is ready to act quickly. 

Sometimes, families ask me to sit and pray with them, or they just want to talk about what they believe happens after death. It’s a really special and moving part of what we do – being there with people in their own homes during these personal moments. 

I once visited a family from South Asia after their loved one had come home from hospital. The notes said the family would do all the care, but when I arrived, I realised there had been a misunderstanding. The patient was still in a hospital gown and hadn’t been washed or changed. It turned out that, in their culture, daughters do not provide personal care for their fathers. The hospital had assumed the family knew what a “package of care” meant, but they didn’t. I stayed with them for a few hours, helped wash and change their loved one, and explained what support we could offer in the community.  

This experience reminded me how important it is to explain things clearly and not make assumptions. We’re always learning – sometimes that’s through training or reading, but often it’s from the families themselves. If there’s ever a conflict between someone’s wishes and medical advice, we take time to listen, explain, and find the best way forward together. 

For me, the most rewarding part of working in the community is helping people feel heard and respected in their own homes. Every person is unique, and their final days should reflect that. Whether it’s a prayer, a cultural tradition, or just a quiet moment, we do our best to make sure people are cared for in the way that’s right for them. We know there’s still more to learn, but we’re committed to improving, especially when it comes to caring for people at the end of their lives.