I enjoyed your perspectives here @captainbob. As human beings, death and loss are probably the most difficult things to deal with. I think about these concepts frequently and man, it certainly is a constantly enlightening experience. Staying present, detaching from outcomes and expectations has been the most useful lesson for me thus far.

Side note: I really like the concept of having a (what I'm coining as) a "hospice shaman". My mom does similar work (personally soon professionally) and the impact of that work is tremendous.