Using the CD for Illness or End of Life Care
Diane’s music was such a blessing during the last days of my mother-in-law’s life. We met Diane just a few
days prior to her death, at Jeanne’s church. Diane was a special music guest there that Sunday. We purchased several
of her CD’s, hoping they might bring Jeanne some comfort.
We took them to her, along with a personal CD player, so she could quietly listen to them in the hospital. Jeanne was so
pleased with the music, especially because many of the pieces were hymns and music she had grown up with, and had sung all
her life.
She knew she was dying and had accepted that fact. When she started listening to the first CD, a look of heavenly peace
came over her face. She totally relaxed, more so than I’ve ever seen her. Over the course of the next few days, she
quite often asked to listen to Diane’s music. Generally, it was during a time when she was getting a little anxious
about her situation. The music soothed her so that she could sleep restfully.
Shortly before she died, and she could no longer speak, her son asked if she would like to hear the harp music. She was
able to nod her head yes. She died a few minutes later, peacefully and relaxed.
I know that having the harp music available for her to listen to whenever she wanted made her passing much easier for her
and her family.
We listen to Diane’s music during stressful times in our lives. I work in what can be an emotionally stressful workplace
at times. During those times, I play Diane’s CD’s and everyone is visibly soothed.
Sherrie and Gary Schoening
