Zen Hospice Project

The Zen Hospice Project is a San Francisco- based organization dedicated to an innovative approach to end-of-life care and grief support. They offer workshops, trainings, and consulting services rooted in the Buddhist tradition of compassion, focused on alleviating suffering.

The Project began in 1987 as a service to homeless cancer patients through the San Francisco Zen Center, and began working the next year with Laguna Honda Hospital to offer services within the institution. The Zen Hospice unit in the hospital now serves approximately 100 people each year, patients who would otherwise spend their last days in homeless shelters or on the streets. Over ninety-seven percent of the patients in this unit come from low-income backgrounds. Their Guest House opened in 1990 as a residential hospice for those without access to other hospice care, and those who want the support of an end-of-life community.

Since their initial formation, the Zen Hospice Project has added a focus on education on end-of-life issues, from grief support, to dealing with aging and dying, to caregiving. Their grief support services focus not only on dealing with the loss of a loved one, but also with acceptance of the losses faced in aging or experiencing the aging of a loved one.

Zen Hospice Project serves a wide range of people coping with various stages of grief. Their educational programs are appropriate for people dealing with loss, people living with terminal illnesses, and professional caretakers serving clients coping with aging, dying, illness, and grief. Their six-bed Guest House is open to terminally-ill patients of any background. Their grief support services are open to Bay Area residents from all walks of life, with all types of experiences.

July Events:

8-week Mindfulness Grief Group, Tues July 12- August 3, 7-9pm

Exploring Loss: The Zen of Bereavement: Sat, Jul 9 10am- 5pm

Compassionate Support: 1-on-1 Grief Support, Mon-Thur