ArticlePalliative medicine2026
Exploring the hidden before the end: A phenomenological analysis of forgiveness at the end of life among spiritual caregivers.
Article in Palliative medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundWhile forgiveness is linked to emotional and physical benefits at the end of life, little is known about how it is understood or addressed by palliative care professionals. Spiritual caregivers, especially in the Netherlands where formal training is growing, may be well-placed to support such conversations, yet their experiences remain underexplored.
aimTo explore how Dutch spiritual caregivers perceive and engage with forgiveness at the end of life, including their potential role in facilitating it.
designThis qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis. In-person, semi-structured interviews were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. SETTING/
participantsEleven interviews were conducted with spiritual caregivers from various hospitals across the Netherlands. Interviews took place in hospitals (
resultsFour main themes emerged: (1) concept of forgiveness according to spiritual caregivers; (2) forgiveness as a theme in the conversation between spiritual caregivers and patients, (3) barriers to talking about forgiveness, and (4) the role of spiritual caregivers in addressing forgiveness.
conclusionSpiritual caregivers acknowledged forgiveness as beneficial but noted challenges-logistical, cultural, and personal-that make direct conversations difficult. As a result, they often adopt a subtle, indirect approach, using rituals and attentive listening to address forgiveness with patients nearing the end of life.
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