Transformative Spiritual Practice with the Dying:
The Psychopomp in the Medical Setting

by Aug 11, 2025

ACCESS TO THE CONTENT LIBRARY REQUIRES A MEMBERSHIP TO SSP

Pursuing a Shamanic Path? Our Community is Here to Support You!
Deepen Your shamanic knowledge by becoming a member of the Society for Shamanic Practice!
Connect with a community that is passionate about contemporary shamanism. Share ideas, gather inspiration, and foster a deeper understanding of shamanism in the modern world. Whether you are new to shamanism or a seasoned shamanic practitioner, SSP works to empower those on the shamanic path with resources, ceremonies and events.
JOIN OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE DEDICATED TO WALKING A SHAMANIC PATH
BECOME A MEMBER of The Society for Shamanic Practice. CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE MEMBER BENEFITS

Click below to view two free articles as an example of what you can expect with your membership!


Utiseta: The Northern European Art of Plant Communication


A Selection of Daily Spiritual Practices

ALREADY A MEMBER?

Please Log In Below:

About the author

Elena Gillespie PhD

Elena Gillespie PhD

Dr. Gillespie received her Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University, and her B.S. in Microbiology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA. She is also an ordained minister in the American Spiritualist tradition. Dr. Gillespie apprenticed to a transpersonal practitioner for two years and conducted a practice in Reiki and medical intuition for over 30 years. She has taught "The Human Energy Field and Energy Medicine," at Saybrook University and acts as a psychopomp at a local hospice. Her own research interests are in transpersonal experience at the end-of-life, consciousness and meditation as a behavioral intervention. She led one of the first studies in Reiki funded by the NIH and was a co-founder of the Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine at the University of Michigan. Her book, “The Anatomy of Death: Notes from a Healer’s Casebook” is available on Amazon and chronicles her journey as a psychopomp.
Dr. Gillespie received her Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University, and her B.S. in Microbiology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA. She is also an ordained minister in the American Spiritualist tradition. Dr. Gillespie apprenticed to a transpersonal practitioner for two years and conducted a practice in Reiki and medical intuition for over 30 years. She has taught "The Human Energy Field and Energy Medicine," at Saybrook University and acts as a psychopomp at a local hospice. Her own research interests are in transpersonal experience at the end-of-life, consciousness and meditation as a behavioral intervention. She led one of the first studies in Reiki funded by the NIH and was a co-founder of the Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine at the University of Michigan. Her book, “The Anatomy of Death: Notes from a Healer’s Casebook” is available on Amazon and chronicles her journey as a psychopomp.
More content from this author
More content from this author

3 Comments

  1. Karen Williams

    Thank you for sharing this subject – very fascinating.

  2. Leyza Toste

    Such an important topic! Thank you, Dr. Gillespie, for the informative and thoughtful article.

  3. Susan Kenny

    A really fascinating insight into psychopomp work and how it can support people transitioning over. I’ve ordered the book – can’t wait to read it. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.

Submit a Comment

You Might Also Like

Three Shamanic Funerals

Three Shamanic Funerals

A traditional role of shamans is to preside at or contribute to (bring the Spirits to) rituals that mark important transition in the lives of members of their communities. In shamanic cultures, the rites for honoring the death of a loved one have been practiced for...

Share This