These questions are for hospice social workers, palliative care nurses, oncology teams, discharg eplanners, chaplains, and any healthcare or community professional considering referring a patient or family to Sacred Passage.
Who is a good candidate to refer to Sacred Passage?
Sacred Passage is an excellent resource for patients and families who:
• Have more emotional, spiritual, or legacy support needs than your clinical team's schedule allows
• Are actively enrolled in hospice but family members are overwhelmed or isolated
• Are newly diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and need help navigating the emotional landscape
• Want bedside presence and vigil coverage that clinical staff cannot provide
• Are approaching end of life and have expressed a wish not to die alone
• Need bereavement follow-up after a loss
We are designed to extend the circle of care, not duplicate it.
How does the referral process work?
The referral process is straightforward:
• Step 1: Complete our Partner Referral Form (online, by email, or by fax) with basic non-clinical information
• Step 2: We contact the patient's family or designated representative within one business day
• Step 3: We conduct a no-cost 15-minute intake call to assess fit and availability
• Step 4: Service begins, and we keep you informed with the family's consent
You can download the printable referral form from our For Partners page, submit online, or send by fax.
What information do you need for a referral — and what should I NOT include?
We need only minimal, non-clinical information to begin a referral:
• Patient or family contact name and phone number
• General service need (companionship, vigil, daily living, etc.)
• Urgency level
• Your name and contact information
Please do NOT include: diagnoses, prognosis details, medication lists, insurance IDs, Social Security numbers, or any other Protected Health Information (PHI). Our intake form is not a HIPAA-secured clinical channel.
Is Sacred Passage HIPAA-compliant?
Sacred Passage Group LLC is a non-medical service and operates as a Business Associate in the context of referrals from covered entities. We handle referral information with discretion and professionalism.
However, our web forms and intake forms are not HIPAA-secured clinical intake portals. Please refer to our Scope & Safety page and use only minimum necessary, non-clinical information on our forms. For PHI transfer, your organization's standard secure channels should be used.
Will Sacred Passage replace or interfere with our hospice team's work?
Never. Sacred Passage is expressly non-medical and operates in collaboration with — never in competition with —your hospice or palliative care team.
We communicate openly with care teams (with family consent), coordinate our visits around clinical schedules, and defer entirely to the hospice plan of care on all medical matters. Many of our partner hospices find that our presence reduces family distress calls, improves patient comfort, and complements their care beautifully
What does the formal partnership process look like?
We welcome formal partnership agreements with hospice organizations, palliative care programs, oncology practices, senior living communities, and social work departments. A partnership typically includes:
• A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or partner agreement
• Orientation of your staff to our scope and services
• A designated referral contact on each side
• Regular check-in cadence as volume develops
To begin a partnership conversation, complete the Partner Inquiry form or contact us directly.
Can a hospital social worker refer directly to Sacred Passage?
Yes. Social workers, case managers, discharge planners, chaplains, and any member of a care team can make a referral. You do not need organizational approval to refer an individual family — simply complete the referral form or call us directly.
Do you offer any education or in-service training for our clinical team?
Yes. Through the Sacred Passage Doula Academy and Foundation, we offer community education and professional in-services on topics including end-of-life communication, family caregiver coaching, and the role of the doula in a care continuum. Contact us to discuss scheduling an in-service for your team.
Is Sacred Passage licensed and insured?
Sacred Passage Group LLC is a properly registered Texas business entity operating within our non-medical scope of practice.
We carry general liability insurance. We are Veteran-Owned and Minority-Owned. Our founder holds RN credentials and brings clinical leadership experience from senior living, memory care, and hospice environments — ensuring our team understands the healthcare context in which we operate.