Spiritual Care

31 March 2025

Palliative care is about caring for the whole person and their family/whānau, not just their physical needs but also their emotional, social and spiritual needs - tinana, hinengaro, whanau, and wairua.

Spirituality and Spiritual Care

Spiritual is a word that means different things to different people. Some people think of the spiritual in religious terms – about finding peace with God. Others may see spiritual as being much broader – about who we are and why we are here, and how we make sense of our life.


The focus of spiritual care is on supporting, valuing, reconciling, nurturing and empowering people in whatever situations they find themselves.


When you ask: “What’s really important in my life?” you may think about family/whānau, friends, health, places, work or something else. You may also wonder about the future, what lies ahead, or about God. Spiritual care is about assisting you to explore these things, it’s not about doing, it is about being with people.

Who provides spiritual care?

All members of our team can offer spiritual care. Additionally, we have a trained Spiritual Carer and a team of Pastoral Care Volunteers. They accept everyone regardless of values, beliefs, identity, religion, spirituality or the way you question or express these things. They are available to listen, to reflect with, to explore questions about life and death, to give support in decision making and to lead prayer if requested.

What is spiritual distress?

It may include

  • Loss of meaning and purpose
  • Reduced abilities, increased dependence
  • Loss of control and uncertainty
  • Feeling like a burden
  • Sense of unfairness
  • Loss of peace of mind
  • Sense of regret
  • Loneliness
  • Anxiety about dying
  • Worry about leaving family/whānau behind
  • Unfinished business


What might spiritual care involve?

  • Listening
  • Encouraging
  • Supporting
  • Sharing joy and sorrow
  • Praying
  • Assisting in meeting religious and spiritual needs
  • Nourishing sacramentally
  • Creating rituals
  • Helping in questioning the meaning of life
  • Offering thanks
  • Counselling
  • Blessing
  • Contacting your own minister, priest or religious/spiritual advisor if requested


Spiritual care is available to patients and their family/whānau. Please feel free to discuss your spiritual needs with your nurse or health professional who can refer you to our Spiritual Care Team if required.

Hei huarahi mirimiri

i te hunga tāngata

a i te mate tangihanga

me muri ake hoki

he pou āwhina ki te whānau


To provide a therapeutic

pathway for people

before death and also

after death providing

support with the whānau

14 September 2025
This Wills Week, we’re reminding our community of the importance of having a will - and the incredible impact you can make by leaving a gift to charity. A will gives you peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be carried out and your loved ones cared for. It can also be a powerful way to create a lasting legacy by supporting causes close to your heart. Why it’s important to have a will A will ensures your assets are distributed the way you want. It helps reduce stress and uncertainty for your loved ones. You can appoint guardians for your children. You can leave gifts to the charities you value, continuing your support beyond your lifetime. Gathered Here Partnership Nurse Maude, together with hospices across Aotearoa, has partnered with Gathered Here to make writing or updating your will simple, fast, and free. Gathered Here is a trusted online service where you can write a will in just 20 minutes. You’ll have the option to include a gift to Nurse Maude, ensuring that future generations can continue to receive the specialist palliative and hospice care that our community depends on. Every gift makes a difference A bequest, no matter the size, is a deeply meaningful way to support the care, compassion, and dignity we provide for patients and their whānau every day. Your generosity helps us continue our mission to care for people in their homes and in our hospice, free of charge. 
People running in a park. Text: Support Nurse Maude through Corporate Challenge 2025.
26 August 2025
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