End of Life

End of Life Housing and Companionship

Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community maintains an apartment on its premises that is available for end-of-life housing, intended for those who are inadequately housed and unsupported as they approach the end of life. We offer our second-floor apartment free of charge to those who are housing insecure.

Our residents can provide emotional and logistical support, holding some of the roles that a family member might play in providing companionship and household support while a person is receiving active hospice care from hospice professionals.

Donations are always welcomed to help offset the costs of food and utilities that we joyfully incur as part of our practice life.

If you or someone you know would like to be considered for end-of-life housing at Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, please contact Joshin at joshin@breadloafmountainzen.org or call (802) 398-5080.

End of Life Support

We offer end-of-life compassionate support to those facing life-limiting illnesses. As a certified End-of-Life Doula, Joshin is equipped to tend to the emotional, logistical, and spiritual needs of those approaching the end of life as well as their families. This includes:

• Companionship to those receiving hospice care
• Listening to and/or recording life stories; writing farewell letters; arranging final visits
• Vigil presence for dying individuals
• Needed relief for family caregivers
• Administrative, scheduling, errand, and logistical support
• Grief support
• Help with planning funeral and memorial services
• Creating a plan for support at a person’s time of death

End-of-life support is offered free of charge and by voluntary donation to Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community. All are welcomed to request End-of-Life doula services, especially low-income individuals and their families, as well as people without family support or living in unstable or ill-equipped housing.

Joshin completed End-of-Life Doula training at the University of Vermont in 2020, after a background in spiritual care training as a Zen teacher and trainer for interfaith chaplains. Joshin and other skilled practitioners at Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community are available to support individuals and families before, during, and after the end-of-life process.

To learn more about the end-of-life support available from Joshin and Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, please write to joshin@breadloafmountainzen.org or call (802) 398-5080.