A programme of music for those who are dying

Adapted from an e-mail to the Global Ideas Bank.

Some time ago, a friend told me that when his 10-year-old son died, all the family in the room spontaneously sang him a song of love. This was their special way of saying goodbye. It was a deeply touching and moving moment for all the family. Music helped to transform a moment of great sadness into a significant ceremony. This simple gesture created a moment of sacredness and allowed my friend and his family to ease the loss of their loved one.

Music has the power to touch the heart and express that which cannot be said in words. Throughout the dying process, music can help the patient to share or express his deep feelings and create a sense of calm and serenity - not only for him but also for his family and the caregivers, all sharing together this ultimate journey.

Many hospitals and hospices offer a service of music therapy which selects appropriate music for people to listen to, be it for relaxation or to help the patient and his family to express their emotions in regard to the situation. In recent years, some musicians, through their own inner quest, have created music that evokes in the listeners a sense of eternity and enables us to contact the essence of our true nature.

The following albums seem to have the power to bring a sense of reverence and comfort to the patient, both emotionally and spiritually:

The Standing Stones and Land of Merlin by Jon Mark; Eight String Religion by cellist David Darling; The Silent Path, The Inner Voyage and The Silence Within, all three by Robert Haig Coxon; Deep Peace by Bill Douglas and the Ars Nova Singers; and Rosa Mystica by harpist Therese Schroeder-Sheker - who has created a unique musical programme at The Chalice of Repose in the States where harpists play at the bedside of those who are dying.

I suggest to play such music at low volume, at the bedside of the patient. It can also be used in periods of reflection, prayer, meditation or visualisation by the patient, family members and even by the caregivers and medical personnel who are all grieving in their own way.

Sometimes simply our silent presence, through eye contact and the language of the heart, enables us to share a sense of a privileged moment at the bedside of the patient. Listening to inspirational pieces can also help to create a sense of peace and serenity. May I recommend also:

Te Deum by Arvo Pärt; Sacred Treasures, an albums of Sacred Chants by the Russian Orthodox Choir; and the glorious and celestial albums of Constance Demby, Aeterna and Novus Magnificat which incidentally are played in many palliative care centres in the States. Constance told me of the letters she has received from family expressing how their dear ones died peacefully after listening to Novus Magnificat.

At the moment of dying, the vital energy of the patient is weakening. They lose consciousness of their external environment and seem to gaze between two worlds. They often sleep continuously or fall into a coma. A strong phenomena is taking place within the patient: their vital energy is concentrating in the solar plexus.

Some patients tell us how deceased family members or relatives come to take them to the Other Side - a form of nearing-death awareness.

Playing music in the room at low volume and on continuous play often creates an ambience of contemplation which can help to ease emotional pain and to calm the person who is nearing death, even if he or she is unconscious.

For this particular moment, I recommend:

The music of Steve Roach, 'Structures from Silence' from the album of the same name; 'Air and Light' from Quiet Music; and the ethereal and angelic 'The Graceful Sky', from his collaboration album Caverns of Sirens with Vidna Obmana.

These pieces may serve somehow as a guide on the Journey to the inner Light - hearing being the last of the senses to die. When the person dies, we may sing a song of praise to express our love and gratitude, or play a significant piece to our dear one in thanks for all the love he or she brought into our life and to say goodbye.

Of many songs, one of the most beautiful and significant I've heard is 'Dante's Prayer' by Loreena McKennitt, from her album The Book of Secrets: "Cast your eyes on the ocean, cast your soul to the sea, when the dark night seems endless, please remember me, please remember me."

Music thus becomes the expression of the divine Light - a sacred way through which the soul attunes and connects to the other realm for this ultimate journey called death.

Albums References