The Nature of Occupation Surrounding Dying and Death

Abstract

This article presents the findings from a study intended to help occupational therapists better understand the meaning of occupation surrounding dying and death at a small residential hospice in the midwestern United States. Residents, their families, and hospice staff participated in a 6-month ethnographic study involving participant observation, interviews with staff, a group interview, artifact and document review, and journal keeping by the first author. Four domains of occupation were identified as elements of the dying experience: continuing life, preparation for death, waiting, and death and after-death. In the context of dying, both mundane and unique occupations took on new forms of significance to the residents, families, and caregivers. These findings contribute to our understanding of the nature and meaning of occupation and how occupation creates the good death.