Sacred Partnership: Life and Death

By: Rev. Dr. Tammy Isaac

"Dying is at its heart a sacred act; it is itself a time, a space, and process of surrender and transformation. The sacred is not separate or different from all things, but rather hidden in all things. Dying is an opportunity to uncover what is hidden."— Frank Ostaseski

As healthcare workers, we encounter patients in various stages of illness. Some recover through the grace of God and medical care, while others slip beyond our reach. Death is an inevitable reality in our work. Sometimes, we see it approaching as health declines; other times, it arrives suddenly, shocking us with its finality.

Over time, frequent exposure to death can lead to desensitization. We begin to normalize it, suppressing our emotional reactions to its sacredness. Avoiding the emotions associated with death may feel like self-preservation, but in the long run, it can erode our mental health, our relationships, and even our connection with God.

Mother Teresa once warned of this very danger:

"There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in—that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible."

Death is never just an event; it is a sacred moment. Whether peaceful or tragic, the final breath marks the departure of the soul and spirit from the human body—a profound, divine transition.

The word sacred originates from the Latin sacer, meaning “holy” or “set apart.” To be sacred is to be distinct from the ordinary, carrying deep meaning and ultimate value. In that sense, there is nothing normal about death. It is, as Ostaseski said, “a time, a space, and a process of surrender and transformation.” And just as death is sacred, so is life.

"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching."

Recognizing the Sacredness in Life and Death

In our pursuit of normalcy, we often overlook the sacredness embedded in both life and death. We rush through our days, distracted by routine, missing the deeper beauty—what I call collateral beauty.

"The very idea of collateral beauty is that no matter how dark or how difficult the time is, there is something beautiful that is happening right there."

Acknowledging death is difficult. We either try to avoid thinking about it or become so accustomed to its presence that it becomes just another occurrence. Yet, contemplating our mortality can be a powerful wake-up call.

Morrie Schwartz, from Tuesdays with Morrie, offers a perspective worth considering:

"The best approach to dying is to know you are going to die one day and to prepare for it to happen at any time. That way, you can actually be more involved in your life while you are living."

My suggestion? Live each day as if you are dying—not in fear, but in deep awareness. Embrace each moment with reverence, knowing that life and death are sacred partners. When we do, we uncover the truth:

"The sacred is not separate or different from all things, but rather hidden in all things. Dying is an opportunity to uncover what is hidden."