Imperative 12
To recognize and believe in the Supremacy of Spirit.
Our personal religious convictions–or lack thereof–must never cloud our awe at the great miracle of the spiritual realities that come breaking forth as patients approach death. We must be prepared to help patients and families address the great spiritual questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? What have I accomplished? Do I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive? Am I loved? Have I loved well? We must ensure that patients are as physically comfortable as we can make them, but, beyond that, we must become witnesses and even partners in their journey through the intangibles of life–here we respect the spiritual nature of our own humanity.
from Dr. Walter Hunter’s 12 Imperatives for Working with the Dying