Hospice Photography is not postmortem photography. Postmortem photography was a practice of taking photographs of deceased individuals for memories. Unlike today, during the Victoria Era, many people did not have photographs of the deceased while they were living. Postmortem photography allowed them to have an image of the deceased and use them to remember their loved ones.
Hospice Photography focuses on capturing the memories of the final chapter to a beautiful life. It is designed to capture the connection and the compassion shared during the last days with a loved one. A time to celebrate one’s journey of moving forward. These intimate moments deserve to be preserved and, in time, will be cherished.
A persons death is not the end of their story. Their story lives on through loved ones. Like birth, death is a miracle of equal significance to one’s life. It is a time of love and compassion beyond compare. A time to share memories that created a beautiful life. A time to celebrate one’s journey of moving forward.
Hospice is seen as a threshold separating the living from the non-living. Once this line is crossed there is no experiences left, except death. This is correct, most will not leave hospice, not in the physical sense. However, this is the time of some of the greatest quality of life. This is the last chance to create memories. They experience great love, compassion, courage, selflessness during the last chapter of their lives. More-so than any other time in their life. Hospice photography can capture not only some of those special moments but also the emotions experienced at those times.
Yes, Hospice can be bleak, sad and fearful. But it also can be a time of great presence. A time to share great laughter, compassion, Really live. Photos can help with the grieving process by reminding you to embrace the love and compassion that was shared during that time.
- Photographs can make a difficult discussion easier for you to talk about. Discussing your emotions can be extremely helpful in reducing stress and grief and allowing a better quality of life.
- Photographs can give you the visual proof you may want to help validate your grief.
- They can make it easier to tell yours and your loved one’s stories. There is a healing nature about sharing one’s life story.
- Photographs can serve as a way to strengthen your emotional connections with loved ones. Photographs freeze time. All the senses and emotions that you felt then have incredibly returned. It’s as if we are transported back in time. We feel the same emotions we felt at that specific time, possibly even more intensely than at the exact moment. We realize the importance of each moment through the passage of time. That importance creates even more intense emotions. Hospice Photography concentrates on the connections created during the end of life process and provides a way to reflect on the experiences shared. It is not intended to memorialize the sadness but rather to focus on the compassion and love shared during a most difficult time.
- Commemorating the connection, a time to reflect on the relationship you experienced and shared with one another.
- Photographs eliminate some of the fear of forgetting a loved one, they preserve the memory of your loved one and their legacy. End of life does not mean the end of love. Hospice photography is unique. It’s like a tether to your loved one that includes the memories of the love that is shared and will continue.
Every time you look at the photos, you can think back to those moments of concentrated love and compassion with family and friends, the laughter you shared, and even the tears shed over the life of your loved one. Though they may no longer be physically present, their memory will be with you forever.
Hospice Photography focuses on the connection between the departing soul and their loved ones, and various reminders of memories gone by that have touched their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Such as the last pair of shoes they wore, a photograph of them and their pet or even a favorite chair they would sit in and tell stories. They are reminders and memories of some of the most intimate moments filled with great emotions we have shared and are significant in the grieving/healing process.
The love this person brought to us through their life has aAlthough Mike was bedridden his sense of humor remained great impact on us and should be recognized. Hospice Photography helps complete their life story that deserves to be told.
“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world”, author Phillip Pullman.
Grief and mourning will always be difficult. Hospice Photography can help make the process a little bit easier. When it comes to something like grief, even a little can mean a lot.
Best Wishes
