The Role of Music Therapy During the Holiday Season

 

The holiday season can be a time of joy, connection, and gratitude — but for families walking through a hospice journey, November and December can also bring emotional heaviness. Memories feel sharper. Traditions may change. Loneliness can deepen. And families often struggle to balance celebration with the realities of end-of-life care.

This is exactly where music therapy becomes one of the most meaningful tools in hospice.

At Faith & Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, our board-certified music therapists (MT-BCs) use evidence-based interventions to bring comfort, spark connection, support memory recall, and create peaceful environments that gently carry patients and families through the season.

Whether it’s soothing anxiety, supporting dementia patients during gatherings, easing holiday grief, or helping families share moments of beauty, music becomes a bridge — connecting hearts when words may fall short.

Why Music Therapy Matters Even More During the Holidays

The holidays intensify emotions. Families may feel:

• Longing for traditions that can no longer be the same
  
  

• Grief before or after a loss
  
  

• Anxiety about gatherings
  
  

• Loneliness when loved ones are far
  
  

• Pressure to “stay strong”
  
  

• Hope for meaningful moments despite illness
  
  

Music therapy meets these experiences with warmth, presence, and support. Sessions are tailored to each patient’s needs — physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual.

To learn more about how board-certified music therapists work within hospice care, visit our main page: https://faithandhopehospice.com/music-therapy/

1. Music Therapy Helps Reduce Holiday Loneliness & Emotional Distress

Many patients experience increased feelings of loneliness and isolation during November and December — even when surrounded by family. Changes in health, reduced energy, and the emotional weight of the season can make it difficult to engage.

Music therapy helps by:

Creating emotional connection

Live music evokes warmth, shared memories, and meaningful conversation. Even patients who cannot speak may communicate through smiles, gestures, or eye contact during sessions.

Supporting emotional expression

Songs can open the door to conversations about:

• Gratitude
  
  

• Regret
  
  

• Fear
  
  

• Hope
  
  

• Meaning
  
  

• Family traditions
  
  

Patients often feel more comfortable sharing when music gently guides the moment.

Providing soothing presence

For patients who feel alone or withdrawn, a music therapist brings calming companionship, validating emotions without pressure or judgment.

For more resources on coping with emotional pain during the holidays, visit: Finding Comfort and Healing: Coping With Grief During the Holidays

2. Enhancing Memory Recall for Dementia Patients During Gatherings

Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming — especially for patients with dementia or cognitive decline. But familiar music can ground, orient, and comfort them.

How music helps memory during the holidays:

• Stimulates long-term memory: Songs from a patient’s youth, cultural background, or faith can bring back stories and recognition.
  
  

• Supports identity: Music from earlier decades helps reinforce who they are — not just their illness.
  
  

• Promotes social engagement: Patients who may be quiet suddenly hum, clap, or sing along.
  
  

• Reduces agitation: Calm, predictable music decreases sensory overload during family visits.
  
  

This makes music therapy especially helpful during Thanksgiving gatherings, holiday meals, or emotional moments of remembrance.

Learn more about cultural memory and tradition in our blog: Honoring Loved Ones: Día de los Muertos Traditions and Healing in Hospice Care

3. Creating a Peaceful Environment for Families

The holidays often bring noise, movement, and activity — which can be overwhelming for patients experiencing fatigue, pain, anxiety, or changes in cognition.

Music therapy helps establish a calming atmosphere through:

Live soothing music

Guitar, keyboard, ocean drum, autoharp, or soft vocals played at slow tempos.

Guided relaxation with music

Therapists use progressive muscle relaxation, slow breathing exercises, and grounding techniques to help patients and caregivers regulate stress.

Sound environments

During moments of:

• Anxiety
  
  

• Restlessness
  
  

• Holiday overwhelm
  
  

• Active dying
  
  

Music therapy helps set a peaceful tone for both the patient and the family.

Music therapy is part of the interdisciplinary support team at Faith & Hope Hospice. Learn more about our integrated approach in our blog: How Hospice Social Workers Help Families Prepare for Holiday Scheduling, Travel, and Care Transitions

4. Supporting Holiday Transitions & Emotional Milestones

The holidays mark transitions — spiritual, relational, and emotional. Music therapy helps families process these moments in meaningful ways.

Legacy creation

Therapists may help patients:

• Write or record a song
  
  

• Create personalized playlists for loved ones
  
  

• Record messages or blessings
  
  

• Share stories through musical life review
  
  

These become cherished keepsakes for families after a loss.

Spiritual support

Music can connect patients to their faith tradition through:

• Hymns
  
  

• Psalms
  
  

• Chant
  
  

• Gospel music
  
  

• Cultural spiritual songs
  
  

This is especially comforting during holidays that center gratitude, family, and tradition.

Meaning-centered reflection

Music invites families to reflect together in a way that feels gentle and natural — helping them navigate anticipatory grief and find moments of peace.

5. Bringing Families Together Through Shared Musical Moments

Even when illness limits what a patient can do, music therapy allows families to connect in a shared experience.

Families may:

• Sing together
  
  

• Hold hands while listening
  
  

• Share stories as songs spark memories
  
  

• Join simple rhythm instruments
  
  

• Sit quietly in a comforting atmosphere
  
  

These experiences become treasured holiday memories — offering connection when words are difficult.

6. Comfort for the Caregiver During Holiday Stress

Caregivers often feel overwhelmed in November and December. Music therapy offers support not only for patients, but also for those caring for them.

Music helps caregivers:

• Release emotional tension
  
  

• Soothe anxiety
  
  

• Process anticipatory grief
  
  

• Stay grounded during change
  
  

• Experience moments of rest
  
  

• Feel emotionally supported
  
  

Caregivers who receive emotional support are better equipped to navigate complex decisions, travel plans, and family expectations.

7. A Supportive Bridge During Holiday Hospice Transitions

Many families begin hospice care in November or early December. Music therapy helps ease this transition by:

• Reducing fear or anxiety around starting hospice
  
  

• Offering emotional grounding
  
  

• Building trust with families
  
  

• Helping patients understand and adjust to the care plan
  
  

Music therapists collaborate closely with the full interdisciplinary team, helping families feel supported throughout the holiday season.

To better understand hospice care structure and Medicare benefits, visit: Understanding Hospice Levels of Care Under Medicare

The Heart of Music Therapy During the Holidays

At Faith & Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, music therapy brings beauty, peace, and connection into one of the most emotionally complex times of the year. It helps patients feel seen, families feel supported, and moments feel meaningful — no matter how the season shifts.

When words aren’t enough, music gently fills the space with comfort, dignity, and presence.

If Your Family Needs Support This Holiday Season, We’re Here for You

Whether you’re navigating emotional transitions, planning family visits, or beginning hospice care, our team at Faith & Hope Hospice is here to support you with compassion and expertise — including the healing power of music therapy.

Contact us today to learn how our team can support your loved one during the holidays.