Finding Humanity at the End of Life: The Power of Prison Hospices

When we think about end-of-life care, we usually picture a quiet hospital room or a comfortable bed at home. We rarely imagine the sterile, restricted walls of a prison. Yet, aging and dying are universal human experiences that do not stop at the prison gates. Facing the end of life is emotionally heavy for anyone, but doing so while incarcerated adds layers of isolation and fear. In the midst of this incredibly challenging environment, a remarkable movement of compassion is taking root. I recently sat down with Fernando Murillo on the Digital Legacy Podcast to discuss a truly profound approach to end-of-life care. Fernando works with the Humane Prison Hospice Project, an organization bringing dignity to some of the most medically fragile individuals in our society . A Journey of Transformation Fernando’s connection to this work is deeply personal. He entered the prison system at the young age of 16 and ultimately served 24 years . After 19 years of incarceration, he was surprised to discover a licensed hospice within the California Medical Facility. He was recruited to work in the hospice, and despite initially saying no twice out of fear of being unprepared, he eventually answered the call . He wanted to offer himself as a resource to patients navigating their final days and humanize them in a difficult setting. Fernando quickly realized that the crimes these patients had committed were the least interesting things about them. By treating them with basic human dignity, he helped them open up and find peace without the fear of judgment . The Growing Need for Care We are facing an unprecedented aging crisis within the carceral system. Currently, one in five people incarcerated in the United States is 50 years or older. Due to harsh sentencing laws, many people are essentially serving sentences that will last for the rest of their lives. This reality creates a massive need for palliative care, memory care, and compassionate end-of-life support. Often, unofficial caregiving naturally occurs in these spaces as individuals step up to help their neighbors. They assist with essential daily tasks, such as moving a peer from a bed to a wheelchair or helping them to the shower.

About This Blog

When we think about end-of-life care, we usually picture a quiet hospital room or a comfortable bed at home. We rarely imagine the sterile, restricted walls of a prison. Yet, aging and dying are universal human experiences that do not stop at the prison gates.

Facing the end of life is emotionally heavy for anyone, but doing so while incarcerated adds layers of isolation and fear. In the midst of this incredibly challenging environment, a remarkable movement of compassion is taking root.

I recently sat down with Fernando Murillo on the Digital Legacy Podcast to discuss a truly profound approach to end-of-life care. Fernando works with the Humane Prison Hospice Project, an organization bringing dignity to some of the most medically fragile individuals in our society .


A Journey of Transformation

Fernando’s connection to this work is deeply personal. He entered the prison system at the young age of 16 and ultimately served 24 years . After 19 years of incarceration, he was surprised to discover a licensed hospice within the California Medical Facility.

He was recruited to work in the hospice, and despite initially saying no twice out of fear of being unprepared, he eventually answered the call . He wanted to offer himself as a resource to patients navigating their final days and humanize them in a difficult setting.

Fernando quickly realized that the crimes these patients had committed were the least interesting things about them. By treating them with basic human dignity, he helped them open up and find peace without the fear of judgment .


The Growing Need for Care

We are facing an unprecedented aging crisis within the carceral system. Currently, one in five people incarcerated in the United States is 50 years or older.

Due to harsh sentencing laws, many people are essentially serving sentences that will last for the rest of their lives. This reality creates a massive need for palliative care, memory care, and compassionate end-of-life support.

Often, unofficial caregiving naturally occurs in these spaces as individuals step up to help their neighbors. They assist with essential daily tasks, such as moving a peer from a bed to a wheelchair or helping them to the shower.


Neighbors Caring for Neighbors

The Humane Prison Hospice Project takes this natural compassion and turns it into a structured, professional program. The organization trains incarcerated peer caregivers to properly care for their medically fragile neighbors.

This is not a light commitment. The training program consists of 80 hours of intensive education. It provides caregivers with the proper medical language and practical skills needed to offer high-quality care .

The curriculum also adapts to specific needs, offering robust training for dementia and memory care, which is highly requested . Interestingly, even medical professionals seek out this education, as traditional schooling focuses heavily on curative care rather than the realities of dying .

The impact is life-changing for everyone involved. For the caregivers, it offers profound life skills and emotional growth. Data from the California Medical Facility hospice shows a recidivism rate of less than 1% for those who go through the program.


The Healing Power of "Human Currency"

One of the most beautiful concepts Fernando shared is the idea of "human currency." In an environment where autonomy is managed and physical resources are scarce, kindness becomes a powerful exchange .

Human currency is the authentic, free exchange of compassion, trust, and dignity. It is the simple act of listening to someone's life story and making them feel valued as a unique human being .

This concept applies far beyond prison walls. If we can foster this level of deep, non-judgmental care in such a restricted setting, we can certainly bring more of it into our own communities .


A Model for the Outside World

The success of this peer caregiving model is spreading rapidly. The Humane Prison Hospice Project is now consulting and operating in several states, including Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and Michigan.

In Michigan, the Department of Corrections has fully embraced peer caregiving across both men's and women's facilities . They have even implemented "dignity therapy," where patients record their life stories for their families to hear .

The organization is also pioneering a compassionate release destination in Los Angeles. They are partnering with the Francisco Homes and Guaranteed Hospice to provide a safe, supportive place for incarcerated cancer patients to live out their final days .


What You Can Do

It is easy to feel disconnected from issues that happen behind closed doors. But the lessons of the Humane Prison Hospice Project can inspire all of us to approach end-of-life transitions with more grace.

  • Reflect on Your Legacy: Ask yourself how you want to be known. Your legacy is not just the dates on a headstone; it is the "dash" in between, representing the meaningful impact you make while you are here .

  • Spend Your Human Currency: You do not need money or special training to be kind. Offer your time, a listening ear, and absolute presence to someone who is struggling or facing a major life transition .

  • Plan Ahead: Having these conversations early makes a difference. Ensure your own end-of-life planning is in order so your loved ones can focus on connection rather than logistics.

To hear Fernando Murillo’s full conversation with Niki Weiss, listen to the latest episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn or learn more about his work at the Humane Prison Hospice Project. 


Take the Next Step: Start Planning with My Final Playbook


Related Blog

Duis mi velit, auctor vitae leo a, luctus congue dolor. Nullam at velit quis tortor malesuada ultrices vitae vitae lacus. Curabitur tortor purus, tempor in dignissim eget, convallis in lorem.

The Gift of Asking: Why Funeral Registries Are the Future of Grieving

When someone we love dies, the silence that follows can be deafening. But almost immediately, another sound fills the air. It is the chorus of well-meaning friends and family asking, "How can I help?" It is a beautiful question that comes from a place of love. Yet, for the person deep in grief, that question can feel like a burden. You are exhausted and your brain is in a fog. You likely have no idea what you need, let alone how to articulate it. Maybe you need help paying for the funeral, which can cost upwards of $15,000. Maybe you just need someone to mow the lawn or pick up the kids from school. But saying that out loud feels impossible as it feels vulnerable. I recently sat down with Janet Turkula and Ryan Oliveira, the team behind GiveWillow, to talk about this exact dilemma. They have built something that feels both revolutionary and incredibly obvious. It is a registry for funerals. From Trauma to Tech: A Personal Story Janet’s journey to founding GiveWillow started in a place many of us fear. In 2010, she was just 21 years old when her father passed away suddenly . She was young, grieving, and completely unprepared for the reality of planning a funeral. Like many people, she assumed her dad would live well into his 80s or 90s. He was a blue-collar worker with no savings and no will . Suddenly, she was faced with funeral costs she could not afford while trying to process the trauma of losing her parent . Years later, a friend lost an uncle, and Janet wanted to help. She looked online for a way to send something meaningful. She wanted to do something other than sending flowers or a casserole. She found nothing . In a world where we can order a car or a meal with a single tap, there was no easy way to support a grieving family financially or practically. That gap in the market and in our culture of care birthed GiveWillow. Why a Registry? We have registries for weddings. We have them for babies. We even have wish lists for birthdays . These are all major life transitions where our community gathers around to support us. So why do we stop when it comes to the most difficult transition of all? A funeral registry works just like any other registry. You can select the specific things you need help with. This might include the big-ticket items like a casket, an urn, or catering for the reception . But it also includes the hidden costs that people often forget. These can include travel expenses for family members or even the fee for refrigeration at the funeral home. By listing these items, families can give their community a concrete way to help. Instead of a vague "let me know if you need anything," a friend can log on and see that they need help covering the cost of the flowers. It transforms a stressful question into a simple and actionable act of love. More Than Just Money One of the most touching parts of my conversation with Ryan was hearing about the "time and effort" feature on the platform. Not everyone needs financial help, and not everyone can afford to give money. But support comes in many forms. GiveWillow allows families to register for acts of service too. You can add items like "lawn care," "running errands," "childcare," or even just "sitting with me" to your registry . This is profound because it validates those needs. It tells the grieving person that it is okay to need help with the laundry or to need someone to drive the carpool. And for friends who want to help but do not have extra cash, it gives them a way to show up that is just as valuable. Breaking the Silence Around Cost We rarely talk about the price tag of death. It feels taboo to put a dollar amount on a funeral as if it somehow cheapens the loss. But the reality is that funerals are expensive. Ryan mentioned that simply going through the process of building a registry can be an eye-opening educational tool. It allows you to see the "sticker price" of your wishes before you are in the emotional heat of the moment. You might realize that the big party with the margarita bar you envisioned costs $15,000 . Knowing that ahead of time allows you to plan. It allows you to ask for help specifically for that celebration rather than being blindsided by the bill later. This transparency empowers families by taking the mystery and the shame out of the financial conversation. A Tool for the Living While GiveWillow is a lifeline for those who have just lost someone, it is also a powerful tool for those of us who are still here. We often think pre-planning is only for the elderly or the sick. But as Janet’s story reminds us, death can be sudden. Creating a registry now, even if you are young and healthy, is a gift to your future self and your family. It acts as a roadmap. It tells your loved ones exactly what you want. Do you want cremation? A green burial? A big party? It removes the guesswork during a time when their brains will be foggy with grief. Ryan noted that they are even seeing people with terminal illnesses use the platform to ask for help with medical bills alongside their funeral wishes . It is becoming a holistic way to support someone through their end-of-life journey. Overcoming the "Ick" Factor I know what some of you might be thinking. "Is it tacky to ask for money for a funeral?" "Does this feel too much like crowdfunding?" Janet was clear that this is not just about raising funds. It is about re-gifting community support. It is about channeling the love that people already want to give into the places where it will actually make a difference. We have all seen the GoFundMe campaigns that circulate after a tragedy. They have their place. But a registry feels different because it feels personal and intentional. It allows a friend to say that they bought the flowers for Dad's service rather than just throwing money into a pot. It creates a connection between the giver and the receiver that is rooted in care rather than just cash. A Small Step You Can Take Today If you are reading this and feeling a little overwhelmed, that is okay. You do not have to plan your entire funeral today. But maybe you can take one small step toward opening the conversation. Check out GiveWillow just to see what a funeral registry looks like. Notice the categories. See what things cost. Talk to your partner or a close friend about one thing you might want or definitely do not want at your own service. Breaking the silence is the first step toward taking back control. Death is the one certainty we all share. By planning for it, and by allowing our community to support us through it, we are not being morbid. We are being human. We are letting love have the last word. 🎧 To hear Janet and Ryan’s full conversation with Niki Weiss, watch the episode on The Digital Legacy Podcast. You can also explore their platform at GiveWillow.com.
End-of-Life Planning Made Simple: Insights from Funeral & Financial Expert

In a recent conversation on The Digital Legacy Podcast, Niki Weiss, founder of ENDevo, sat down with Greg Barnsdale, funeral director, financial planner, and author of Do Not Ignore Your Mortality, to talk about what it means to plan for the end of life with clarity and compassion. It all starts with one truth: planning for death is not giving up. It’s showing up for the people who will one day have to carry on.
Embracing the Inevitable: Why End-of-Life Planning is a Gift

Talking about death and dying is uncomfortable. Most of us avoid it, push it aside, and assume we’ll deal with it when the time comes. But as experts in hospice and palliative care remind us, avoiding these conversations only makes it harder when the inevitable arrives.
Leaving More Than Memories: How Last Farewells Helps You Say What Matters Most

We all know that life is fragile. But knowing it and preparing for it are two very different things. It can feel overwhelming to imagine what happens after we’re gone. Let alone find the right words for the people we love most. What if you could leave messages to be delivered later? On birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. What if your voice could show up just when someone needed to hear it? That is the idea behind Last Farewells, a heartfelt end-of-life platform co-founded by Estrella Quiroz, born from the kind of loss that changes everything.
View All

Comments