Overview

Antara Pathways Vigil Companions support patients, families, and care teams by holding a steady, loving presence at bedside. Volunteers help tend the environment, lighting, music, small rituals, and honor each person’s cultural, spiritual, and personal wishes. We prioritize service for those who are isolated, under-resourced, or without consistent family support.

Core Responsibilities

• Maintain a calm, grounding presence at bedside, reading, gentle conversation, or quiet companionship.
• Support simple comfort practices (soft music, lighting, warm blanket, hand to hand if welcomed).
• Honor cultural and spiritual preferences; coordinate with families and staff to respect rituals.
• Observe and report non-clinical needs or changes to the appropriate care lead (per site policy).
• Protect privacy and confidentiality; document visits per Antara guidelines.
• Work within the non-medical scope; collaborate respectfully with hospice and facility teams.

Training & Reflective Supervision

• Orientation in bedside presence, boundaries, and trauma-informed communication.
• Grief literacy, cultural humility, and spiritual care basics.
• Safety, facility protocols, and end-of-life companion standards.
• Ongoing reflective supervision and peer support circles for emotional well-being.

Time Commitment

• Typical service: 2–4 hours per week, flexible to your schedule.
• Bedside vigils often occur in 2–4 hour shifts; occasional extended (4–6 hour) sits.
• Minimum suggested service term: 3 months.

Qualifications

• Calm, reliable, and emotionally mature; comfortable with silence and the sacredness of endings.
• Excellent listening skills; honors boundaries and consent.
• Respect for all identities, beliefs, and cultural practices.
• Ability to follow protocols, take feedback, and document visits succinctly.
• Ideal for: listeners, chaplains, students of spiritual care, hospice volunteers.

Accessibility, Equity & Inclusion

• Volunteers of all backgrounds and abilities welcome; roles can be adapted for accessibility.
• We prioritize opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant, veteran, and justice-involved applicants.
• Remote companionship (check-ins with families, reading/recording messages) available in some cases.

See our Community Care Standards and
Non-Discrimination Policy.

Screening & Onboarding

• Volunteer application and interview.
• Reference and background check (required for in-person roles; covered by Antara).
• Completion of training modules and agreement to Antara’s care standards.
• Site-specific orientation for hospice/facility placements when applicable.

What You’ll Gain

• Deep practice in presence, compassion, and mindful service.
• Mentorship and community grounded in love and dignity.
• Reflective spaces for integration and growth.
• Verification of volunteer hours upon request.