At Rowcroft Hospice, we know that end-of-life care is about so much more than physical support. For many people, spiritual and emotional wellbeing is just as important. That’s why our spiritual care is available to people of all faiths and none – helping them find strength and comfort in ways that matter to them.
For Carole Lulham and her husband George, who was cared for in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit before he passed away on Christmas Eve 2024, this support came through their Baha’i faith.
Carole and George’s story
George spent his life helping others. He worked as a respiratory therapist and, during the 15 years he and Carole lived in America, they both volunteered for seven years on the Yakama Indian Reservation, working with children. Outside of work, George was a skilled woodworker who loved to craft beautiful pieces.
When George developed complications with his heart, he was referred to Rowcroft by a cardiac nurse at Torbay Hospital. The couple received support at home from Rowcroft’s Community Team and George was admitted twice to the Inpatient Unit.
“Everybody was so caring at Rowcroft,” Carole said. “George loved the calm and peaceful atmosphere in the Inpatient Unit and knew it was where he wanted to be at the end of his life. He arrived in December 2024 and he died on Christmas Eve, aged 81.”
Carole had worked as a deputy manager of a care home in Bishopsteignton, and she valued the specialist care Rowcroft provided:
“I had the knowledge to care for George, but at 80 I just didn’t have the strength. Rowcroft was there for both of us. There was always someone I could talk to, either in person or on the phone, so I never felt alone.”
The role of spiritual care
A vital part of the couple’s experience was the support of Katie Evans, Rowcroft’s Spiritual Care Specialist.
“It was an honour to be alongside George and Carole, helping them draw strength from their Baha’i beliefs,” reflects Katie. “When George became unresponsive, it was a privilege to read him the prayers that were close to his heart. We want everyone to feel free to be themselves in our care, finding meaning, comfort and strength in their own way.”
Carole added:
“Katie was wonderful. She read George some lovely prayers, including a beautiful one about unity, and she always let me know when she’d seen him. The support she gave us both was marvellous. We also spent time in Rowcroft’s Sanctuary – such a calm and restful space. Later, George and I gifted the hospice a book of prayers from many different traditions so others could find comfort too.”
About the Baha’i faith
The Baha’i faith, founded in the 19th century, teaches the oneness of humanity, the unity of all religions, and the importance of peace and justice. Its principles of equality, kindness, and generosity shaped George and Carole’s lives and gave them strength during George’s final weeks.
“The hospice team were very open and accepting of our beliefs,” Carole said. “What struck me most was that the care was not just for George – it was for me too. That meant such a lot, because I never felt left on my own.”
At Rowcroft, we’re proud to offer spiritual care that is inclusive, compassionate, and deeply personal. However people find peace – through prayer, reflection, or simply the quiet of our sanctuary – we are here to walk alongside them, supporting them to live fully until the very end.