Bedside Companion Training
We are grateful to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Lapeer County Community Foundation, Four County Community Foundation, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation for their generous grant funding, which has made this training program possible.
The next Bedside Companion Training is scheduled for early 2027. If you’re interested in joining, or learning more, please complete the form below.
Our Bedside Companion Program prepares compassionate volunteers to provide a comforting presence at the bedside of a guest who is nearing the end of life. A vigil is a time of watchful presence and companionship, ensuring that no one has to face their final moments alone.
Bedside companion volunteers offer a calm and reassuring presence during the dying process. This may include sitting quietly, holding space in silence, engaging in gentle conversation, reading from a favorite book or the Bible, playing soft music, or simply being present. The focus is always on providing comfort, dignity, and companionship while honoring the wishes of the guest and their family.
The goal of this program is to equip volunteers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to serve in this meaningful role. Through training, volunteers will learn about end-of-life care, communication, emotional and spiritual support, boundaries, self-care, and what to expect during the dying process.
Through this program, we hope that every guest and family member served by a bedside companion experiences reduced feelings of loneliness and greater comfort through the gift of companionship during life's final moments.