Music Thanatology

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.“ Matthew 11:28

The Chalice of Repose Project
At St. John Vianney

What is Music-Thanatology?

Music-thanatology is the loving care for the physical and spiritual needs of the dying.  It is provided through live prescriptive music delivered bedside with harp and voice by a professional, certified musician-clinician.  Music-thanatology is an interface of palliative medicine, theology/spirituality, and music – unified in response to human suffering and pain.

Created and developed by Therese Schroeder-Sheker, founder of The Chalice of Repose Project, it has a 35-year history.

For Whom is Music-Thanatology Offered?

Music-thanatology is intended for those who are facing life-threatening illness and would benefit from supportive end-of-life care to deal with the physiological pain and/or interior suffering; and for those who desire the beauty, intimacy and reverence possible with the music-thanatology vigil.  It is appropriate for those who have a prognosis of six months or less.

How Can Music-Thanatology Help?

Music-thanatology derives profound spiritual inspiration and meaning from the Benedictine Cluniac tradition of monastic medicine.  As a pastoral art, music-thanatology does not seek to cure, entertain, or distract, but to bear witness to the unique mystery of an individual’s life and to ease the interior suffering that can attend the end of life, both for the dying and their loved ones.  As a science it is a sub-specialty of palliative medicine that may reduce physiological pain and mental, emotional, or spiritual suffering.  Through prescriptive music a patient's pulse and heart rate may be decreased, breathing stabilized, body temperature normalized, and physical pain and anxiety decreased.  These calming measures may help a patient experience a deep, restorative sleep and may also bring comfort to the family.

What Can We Expect During a Music-Thanatology Vigil?

The vigil, which lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, is a time that is reserved exclusively for the care of the patient and loved ones through prescriptive music.  It is a time for them to receive while nothing is expected of them.

The musician-clinician will come to the patient’s current place of residence.  She will arrive with her harp and will check in briefly with the caregiver and/or contact person about any changes that may have occurred since the pre-vigil call and scheduling.  A few minutes will be spent in preparation, including harp tuning, prior to meeting the patient.  To make this a ‘time of receiving’, routine medical or nursing activities are suspended for the duration of the vigil, as well as other outside activities or interruptions.  Once the vigil begins, quiet is ideal.  We ask that people (professionals and/or loved ones) cease entering or leaving the patient’s room, and that those present remain seated through the vigil.  Those who prefer, may step outside of the room for the vigil.  The vigil begins with silence and a quietude, and stillness is facilitated in order for the music to be most deeply experienced and most efficacious for the patient.  Small moments of silence will be an integral part of the vigil.  An increasing stillness and depth builds with the experience of the music.  Please be aware that the music vigil is prescriptive music and not a bedside concert.  In this light, any typical “audience-type” responses should be withheld.

Because music-thanatology is an evidence-based medical practice, you may observe the musician-clinician checking vital signs and documenting data before, during, and after the vigil.  These actions will tend to be experienced like quiet courtesies rather than invasive procedures.

Often, the patient (and even their loved ones) may enter a very deep restorative sleep during the course of the vigil.  In that case, the musician-clinician will not wake the patient to say goodbye.  She will simply leave as quietly as possible.  

Note:  Recording devices of any kind, e.g., tape players, videos, and cell phones are not permissible.  Patient privacy must be honored and compliance with federal HIPAA regulations is required.  Additionally, electronic devices can provide distraction, bring a different energy to the moment, and detract from the sanctity of the vigil.

Tell Us About the Musician-Clinician

Ruth McEwen is a parishioner, who has a love for people and life, deepened through her personal and professional experiences of meeting death as part of the continuum of life.  Themes of service and compassion weave through her life experiences and relationships:  those as wife and mother, as a member of a large extended family, through her church and community volunteer work, her professional years in corporate human resource work and hospice social work.  Ruth’s education and formation background include her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and master’s degree in Social Work from Aurora University, her hospice training and formation, and current three-year formation and certification program in Music-Thanatology through The Chalice of Repose Project.  In the final year of her formation, she comes to you as a Music-Thanatology Student Intern.   Ruth brings her faith and this blend, balance, and full range of life and work experiences, education and formation to her belief in the power of music and her deep-rooted desire and commitment to continue companioning and serving the terminally ill and their loved ones.

If you would like to request a music vigil or have any questions about music-thanatology contact Ruth McEwen, Music Thanatology Student Intern, The Chalice of Repose Project. 

St. John Vianney Parish
(630) 728-3175
ruthmcewen@gmail.com

Responses are made within 24 hours

Wednesdays are reserved for St. John Vianney Vigils
Vigils will be scheduled based on need and availability

Content © Therese Schroeder-Sheker 2008.  All rights reserved.
Photos © Ruth McEwen 2008.  All rights reserved.

For more information about Therese Schroeder-Sheker, The Chalice of Repose Project, and Music-Thanatology, go to www.chaliceofrepose.org