A Volunteer’s Reflection on Comfort Care

In hospice care, comfort is often found in the quietest moments.

One of our comfort care volunteers, Denise, shared how something as simple as a hug can say “you are not alone” when words fall short. In times of deep grief, gentle human connection can bring peace, reassurance, and a sense of being held through the hardest moments.

We are grateful for the compassion our volunteers bring each day, offering care that meets families exactly where they are. Denise has been a Comfort Care Volunteer with Huron Shores Hospice for seven years, and every day we are so incredibly grateful for her personality, her heart, and all that she does.  Read Denise's words below.

"I grew up in a warm, affectionate family where hugs were a natural part of everyday life. They were a simple way of saying “I’m here,” and it was a practice I carried with me into raising my own children. When I began volunteering in comfort care at Huron Shores Hospice, I found myself hesitating to offer that same gesture to some visiting family members. I worried that a hug might feel like too much during such a vulnerable and emotional time.

I shared these feelings with a fellow volunteer, who gently reminded me that in moments of deep grief, words are often unnecessary, and quiet human connection can bring great comfort. With that encouragement, I began to offer hugs when they felt welcome.

In time, I learned just how meaningful those small gestures could be. One family member later shared how comforting it was to be met with a simple embrace. It reassured me that comfort comes in many forms, and sometimes the softest expression—a hug—can bring a sense of peace to someone who is grieving."

-Denise, Comfort Care Volunteer