A hospice is a special place where “incurably ill, dying people” are accompanied. “In a soothing environment, we want to help our clients to the best quality of life.” (Hospice Graubünden)

A communal residence for the last phase of life, such as the small lighthouse project in the Alte Sennerei in Tenna / GR, also offers a soothing environment for the best possible quality of life. It is primarily a place for people (without a defining medical diagnosis), “who can no longer live independently at home, but do not want to leave their homeland… in order to be able to stay in their usual cultural, social and scenic environment until the end of life” (Bürge, 2025).

“The WG Alte Sennerei pursues a holistic and life-affirming approach to death. Instead of tabooing it, it is considered an integral part of life. The philosophy is based on the principle “Ars vivendi – Ars moriendi” – the art of living and dying” (Rüegger, 2006). “In a society that often represses death, the WG Alte Sennerei creates a space in which dying is assumed to be a natural process. This also means that the dying process and death do not have to happen behind closed doors.” (Bürge)

In the Alte Sennerei, individual dying is lived in community .

Thus, the grieving process for the dying person, as well as for the cohabitants, often begins long before the (from a medical point of view) “deterioration of the general condition”. A dying person needs more and more support in everyday life: more closeness and companionship, possibly aids, more rest and new forms of participation. Maybe even palliative care and medical relief of clinical symptoms.

The cohabitants take an active part – to the extent that they are ready and capable. For them, it is also the last phase of life. They live with the awareness that “I am next”. This also results in special forms of affection.

A individual reflection on existential questions is inevitable. It is nice when these are alluded to or at least lived out within the community.

Literature:

Bürge, Philipp. (im Druck). Wohngemeinschaft Alte Sennerei. Selbstbestimmung und Teilhabe im letzten Lebensabschnitt innerhalb der sorgenden Gemeinschaft. Verein Tenna Hospiz, Tenna.

Rüegger, Heinz. 2006. Das eigene Sterben. Auf der Suche nach einer neuen Lebenskunst. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. ISBN 978-3-525-63371-7

Arnold, Othmar F. 2024. Palliative Care als Gottes Dienst. In: Mit dem Tod leben.Religiöse Gesellschaft der Freunde (Quäker), Bad Pyrmont. ISBN 978-3-929696-68-4

for an English translation: Palliative Care as form of worship?