ABSTRACT
A survey of the history of death and dying in Western culture with emphasis on developments from early eighteenth century to the early twenty-first century. St. Joseph’s Hospice, the first dedicated palliative care facility built of the modern era, is discussed, as is St. Christopher’s Hospice, both in London. The influence of the anti-hospitalist movement is traced, and reactions against machine megahospitals, as well as late twentieth-century postmodern expressions of hospice and end-of-life care movements. The global roots of hospice architecture are traced, followed by the rise of special needs hospices for HIV/AIDS, and pediatric hospices. The recent profit–not for profit debate is examined as is the rise of contemporary hospice facilities in North America.
