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PINE POINTE HOSPICE
Making Kindness Audible
n 1990, Kate Munger’s dear
I friend Larry lay dying in
California. Wanting to help but compassion, and moving on in peace.
not knowing how, Munger
began singing at his bedside, and noted the
significant impact of the music. Through
that experience, threshold choirs – groups
who gather at the bedside to comfort the
dying through song – were born. Two years
ago, Harriet Jardine brought the program
to Macon, where five women forming the
Heart of Georgia Threshold Singers now
comfort patients through song at Pine
Pointe Hospice, Navicent Health.
“Music touches us on a deep, emotional
level. Before we could sing, we chanted – as “If the person is cogent, the words can
humans, we have the shared experience of
vocalizing rhythmically. And hearing is the
last sense to go, so through music, we know
that we can touch someone who may not
seem present,” said Jardine.
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The choir sings acapella in a soothing,
lullaby manner. The songs are not attached
to any particular creed, but focus on love,
Songs frequently include the repetition of
lyrics such as “all is forgiven, move on” and as well as their loved ones.
“blessings on your journey.” According to
the choir, unfamiliar lyrics and the idea of
toning – allowing specific notes to hang in
the air – ease a person’s transition.
“The idea is not to sing things they’re
familiar with. We don’t want to hold people
here. The repetition and structure are
calming, easing them to sleep,” said choir
member Ellen Grybeck.
communicate kindness and compassion.
If not, the tonality of the music makes it
feel as though they are being held in an
embrace. They’re able to pass peacefully,”
said Jardine. “We exist to make kindness
audible.”
What is Hospice?
Hospice care is designed to care for
the physical, social, emotional and
spiritual needs of the terminally ill,
Hospice care is based on the belief
that death can be prepared for and
occur with dignity in an atmosphere
of loving care.
Pine Pointe Hospice, Navicent Health
has provided hospice care for central
Georgians since 1982.
Pine Pointe Hospice offers care to
central Georgians in the home or in
a state-of-the-art 15-bed facility with
private rooms and beautiful gardens
and family areas.