Emmanuel Hospice aspires to create a peaceful experience for the dying and their loved ones by providing exemplary spiritual and physical care. St.
Emmanuel Hospice is an interfaith collaboration of four like-minded organizations with over 200 years of combined experience. Ann’s, Clark, Porter Hills and Sunset have joined together to deliver the highest level of holistic care to the dying and their loved ones in the West Michigan community. The foundation of our partnership is rooted in common missions and values, and this has enabled us to share resources, skills and expertise to better serve those in our community with a life-limiting illness or condition. We are united in our aspiration to create a peaceful experience in any setting for the dying and their loved ones by providing exemplary spiritual and physical care. The Emmanuel Hospice team of professionals is committed to excellence in providing you or your loved one with dignified end-of-life comfort care. We customize our care to best meet your needs by bringing our services to the place you consider home; whether it’s your home of many years, a skilled nursing residence, assisted living facility or hospital. The setting may differ, but our caregiving always remains the same.
12/25/2025
Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyful Christmas! During this season of love and light, we continue to offer care, comfort, and support to those who need it most. May your day be filled with warmth and blessings.
As a reminder, Emmanuel Hospice never closes, and you can reach us 24/7 at 616.719.0919
12/23/2025
Last week, members of the Emmanuel Hospice team joined Sunset Senior Communities for their Jingle & Mingle Christmas Lunch.
Our partnership with Sunset allows us to serve as an extension of their team, and it’s a true honor to care for residents alongside such dedicated staff. We were grateful to be included in this celebration and to share the season with their team and leadership. Thank you for having us!
12/22/2025
As Christmas draws near, we want you to know that your loved ones are held close in our hearts. At Emmanuel Hospice, we intentionally make space for the memories of all those who will not be with us physically this season. Each day, we’re grateful for the gentle presence of our Celebration of Life Tree in our office - a beautiful reminder of the lives that continue to inspire us.
Every leaf on the tree honors the enduring legacy of someone we had the honor to serve. It reflects love shared, stories treasured, and the generosity of families who choose to support our mission by adding their loved one’s name to its branches.
"Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime"
12/18/2025
Yesterday, Emmanuel team members Jan and Karl gave a presentation to residents at Cook Valley Estates of Brio Living Services about advance directives and the difference between hospice and palliative care.
Emmanuel Hospice is always pleased to provide educational and supportive information at no cost, and we are proud to serve the West Michigan community that we call home.
Thanks to Brio for having us!
If you have questions about care for yourself or a loved one, give us a call any time, day or night, at 616.719.0919. We're here for you, 365 days a year.
12/12/2025
"When Jim’s Parkinson’s journey became overwhelming, Emmanuel Hospice stepped in - and life changed."
Cari, Jim’s wife, had been sleeping with “one eye open” for years, worried about his safety. With Emmanuel Hospice, she finally found peace of mind. Jim now enjoys visits with his care team, from massage therapy to music that brings back their wedding song and treasured memories like it.
Hospice isn’t just about endings. It’s about dignity, comfort, and making every moment meaningful.
This kind of care - massage, music, art legacy - isn’t covered by insurance. It’s made possible by friends who believe in living fully, even at life’s end.
If you’d like to be part of stories like Jim and Cari’s, follow the link in our comment below. Every gift helps write our next chapter in caring for the community, and for families like the VanTils.
Your generosity brings hope this holiday season. If you could give one gift of comfort to someone you love, what would it be?
12/08/2025
The holidays can be joyful, but they can also feel overwhelming when a loved one is ill. Additionally, if we want to visit someone on hospice during the holidays or support a friend, how do we go about that?
In our December article, Emmanuel Hospice's Joan Blessings has shared thoughtful, practical tips on how to navigate traditions and togetherness during this season.
If you or someone you know is walking this journey, this piece offers compassionate insights and practical tips for making the holidays meaningful while honoring you and your loved one’s needs.
Sometimes, when we see our loved ones for the holidays, we notice that they (or their caregivers or spouse) may need additional support. It can be tough, but starting the conversation early ensures your loved one's wishes are honored.
One tip? Ask about their goals for this part of their life. What are they focusing on, what do they hope for and want more of? If it's quality time with family, peace, and being comfortable at home or doing favorite activities, hospice might be the right choice! Hospice care is *not* just for last days and hours, it's an extra layer of support that allows patients and families to live life to the fullest, right where they are.
A no-obligation conversation with our team can answer any questions you may have, and provides valuable insight into the paths and options available.
Our caregivers are doing what they do best: showing heart, on and off the job!
Meet Michele, a social worker who has been part of Emmanuel Hospice for 5 and a half years. By day, she walks alongside patients and families at the end of life, offering comfort, dignity, and peace. By night, she fosters animals in need, helping them find loving homes. It's this kind of generosity and compassion that defines Emmanuel.
The Heart of Emmanuel Fundraising Challenge honors staff like Michele - those who give tirelessly of themselves to bring peace to our patients and families. From now through the end of the year, our team is rallying together to raise funds for programs that provide comfort, care, and hope when it matters most.
Want to join them?
You can give to a staff member’s fundraising page or make a gift directly to support all their efforts. Every dollar fuels the compassion that makes Emmanuel Hospice a place of peace.
🍂 This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our patients and their families. Thank you for trusting us to provide care, comfort, and dignity during life’s most precious moments. Wishing you all a peaceful holiday full of gratitude. 🦃
11/26/2025
🎶💙Another Wish Fulfilled💙🎶
At Emmanuel Hospice, we believe every patient deserves moments of joy, dignity, and meaning. Recently, one of our patients shared a simple but heartfelt wish: to hear live polka music played on the accordion.
Thanks to our staff who go above and beyond, and our Patient Wishes Program supported by Bloom Credit Union, we made it happen! Roger, one of our music therapists, connected with an accordion player who came to Jim's home and filled the room with lively polka tunes, bringing smiles, and a fun, hand-signed Christmas gift for Jim!
These are the moments your support makes possible. Every gift helps us honor patient wishes, big and small, creating memories that families will cherish forever.
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We are an interfaith collaboration created by St. Ann’s, Clark, Porter Hills and Sunset. With over 200 years of combined experience, we share resources, skills and expertise to deliver care with unparalleled compassion. We are committed to offering the highest level of quality care by being Medicare certified and CHAP accredited. Our local ministry is led by our Board of Directors and driven by our passionate Vision, Mission and Values.
Vision
To shape a community, which embraces death as a meaningful transition through the care of mind, body and spirit.
Mission
The mission of Emmanuel Hospice, an interfaith partnership, is to provide exemplary spiritual and physical care creating a peaceful experience for the dying and their loved ones.
Values
Empathy
We value the unique experience of each individual and their loved ones during this life transition.
Hope
We celebrate death as a beginning, not an end.
Stewardship
We exercise careful and responsible management of the resources, both material and human, entrusted to us.