Volunteer With Us
East Mountain House depends on volunteers. Not just to keep the lights on (though that matters too), but to create the atmosphere of presence and connection that defines our home.
Our volunteers become extended family—sitting with guests, supporting families, preparing meals, tending the garden, and simply being present during life’s most profound passage.
What Volunteers Do
Volunteer roles at East Mountain House vary widely:
Direct Care Volunteers
- Sit with guests, offering companionship and presence
- Support families during difficult moments
- Assist with comfort measures (repositioning, offering water, reading aloud)
- Provide respite for family caregivers
Operational Volunteers
- Prepare meals in our kitchen
- Maintain gardens and outdoor spaces
- Handle administrative tasks
- Support fundraising and outreach efforts
- Manage household maintenance
Professional Service Volunteers
- Development and facilitation of educational programs
- Counseling services for families and loved ones during a guest’s residency at East Mountain House.
- Professional marketing, branding, website, and graphic design expertise
Every role matters. The person who tends the garden creates beauty that guests see from their windows. The volunteer who prepares soup offers nourishment and care. The person who sits quietly with someone in their final hours provides an incomparable gift.
What We're Looking For
You don’t need prior experience with end-of-life care. You don’t need to be Buddhist, or practice meditation, or have any particular spiritual background.
What we look for:
- Willingness to be present with whatever arises—joy, grief, peace, discomfort
- Ability to listen deeply without trying to fix or solve
- Openness to training and ongoing learning
- Reliability and commitment to your volunteered time
- Respect for diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of approaching death
- If you have a particular skill you would like to share, we are happy to explore how it might support our work.
Training & Support
All volunteers receive comprehensive training before beginning direct care work. Our curriculum includes:
- End-of-life doula bedside training
- Insights on what to expect in the dying process
- Mindful caregiving practices (in collaboration with the Zen Caregiving Project)
- End-of-life medical ethics
- Communication skills for supporting families
Training is offered at no cost to volunteers. We also provide ongoing support through monthly gatherings, supervision, and connection with fellow volunteers.
What Volunteers Say
“This is the most meaningful work I’ve ever done. Being present with someone at the end of their life—it changes you. You learn what really matters.”
— Long-time EMH volunteer
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re interested in volunteering, we’d love to meet you. Contact us at helpme@eastmountainhouse.org and share a bit about yourself and what draws you to this work. We’ll arrange a time to talk, answer your questions, and explore whether volunteering at East Mountain House is the right fit.
No commitment required for that initial conversation—just curiosity and openness.