The Chalice of Repose Project’s Music-Thanatology History and Praxis

The palliative medical modality of music-thanatology as developed by the author and pioneered at the Chalice of Repose Project is an evidence-based practice-vocation-profession, and maintains a singular focus and orientation: the physical and spiritual care of the dying with prescriptive music. Music-thanatology palliative care is delivered in every psychosocial setting and serves every patient constituency, pediatric to geriatric. The music-thanatology delivery of prescriptive music occurs live, at the bedside; is responsive to the patient’s unique, dynamic medical and interior conditions, and features quiet reception rather than clinician-patient interaction. This historical report provides a condensed overview of forty-four years of music-thanatology development, history and clinical practice. This includes a description of the historical and current curricula, excerpts from clinical field notes and an example of a spiritual practice that can sensitively orient musician-clinicians toward the existential patient experience. The bibliographical resources cited reflect the methodologies of a variety of scholarly disciplines in the biomedical and nursing arts and sciences and a full range of the humanities, all of which are integrated into music-thanatology education, formation and praxis. Recent population studies [1] report that there are currently over 46 million Americans aged 65 and older, and this number is expected to double by 2060. Life expectancy has generally increased and with it the need for excellent end-of-life palliative care programs. A full array of dedicated and competent practitioners skilled in a variety of end-of-life arts and sciences has never been so greatly needed in the USA. When interventional modalities have been exhausted, music-thanatology offers effective pain relief and meaningful, effective, cost-effective supportive care options during the final days and hours of life. Keywords: Music-thanatology, palliative care, prescriptive music, narrative medicine, spirituality, transitus, monastic medicine, contemplative practice, letting go.