Photo of HSB CEO David Selberg
Though each of us will experience death one day, society has a tendency to avoid thoughts or discussions about this topic. And for those of us who work in the healthcare sector, we are aware of some of the negative associations made between hospice care and death.

But at Hospice of Santa Barbara, we seek to remove this stigma and encourage our patients and families to embrace this wonderful gift of life.

One way we hope to do this is by inviting the community to our Community Education and Engagement Series’ presentation of Five Invitations: What The Dying Teach The Living, An Evening with Frank Ostaseki.

On March 22, guest speaker, Buddhist teacher, and Zen Hospice Project co-founder Frank Ostaseki will share with his audience how they can make the most out of life by focusing on what matters most to them. We hope you will be joining us for this engaging and insightful event. The event has been so popular that we’re sold out and have a waiting list.
Support Groups 
Each support group is free of charge. Participants must
pre-register to attend by calling Hospice of Santa Barbara at (805) 563-8820.
Mindfulness for Healing
tree silhouette at sunset
Wednesdays, April 11 - May 30
Mindfulness for Healing is a meditation group in which members will use awareness techniques to address painful feelings around loss--whether it is an existing death, an anticipated loss, facing one's own death or caring for someone who is dying. 
Survivors of Suicide
flower emerging from leaves
1st and 3rd Wednesday Evenings
The important thing to remember about surviving suicide loss is that you are not alone. Our Survivors of Suicide support group is for those who are grieving the loss of someone who has taken their life. Please join us as we navigate through grief and begin to heal.
Healing Grief Art Therapy Workshop
colorful paintbrushes
Saturday, April 14
This workshop is not about making good art. Creating art can help reduce stress, improve the immune system, and ease physical and emotional pain. Creative expressions of grief are an excellent way to remember and honor your loved one.
Healing the Loss of an Adult Child
waves on a beach
Tuesday Afternoons
The loss of a child at any age is a profound and heartbreaking experience. If you have lost an adult-aged child and need support, consider joining our group, Healing the Loss of an Adult Child. Join other parents in navigating the journey of grief and healing.
Five Invitations: What the Dying Teach the Living, an Evening
with Frank Ostaseski
five invitations: what the dying teach the living event flyer
five invitations: what the dying teach the living event flyer in spanish
On Thurs., March 22, Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Community Education and Engagement Series welcomes guest speaker Frank Ostaseki, who will present his Five Invitations: What The Dying Teach The Living.

Frank Ostaseki is the co-founder of the Zen Hospice Project, one of San Francisco’s first residential hospice facilities, and the Metta Institute, which offers educational programs related to spirituality and dying.

His “Five Invitations” will teach audiences how to meditate on the meaning of life in order to discover what matters most to them. His presentation will be held at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 Cota Street in Santa Barbara from 7 - 9 p.m. A book signing of his book The Five Invitations will take place immediately after.

This event is supported in part by The Marjorie Luke Theatre’s Dreier Family Rent Subsidy Fund.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Art Reception - David Glenn (Judd) Crouch
Hospice of Santa Barbara will be displaying the work of the late David Glenn (Judd) Crouch, whose career spanned some 60 years as an active exhibiting studio artist and as a master scientific illustrator for the University of California. Join us on Wednesday, April 4th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for an opening reception at the Leigh Block Gallery.
25% of sales will benefit Hospice of Santa Barbara.
Beloved Bears
Photo of Beloved Bears Team
From left to right: Mary Vickers, Carole Ruppel, Daveena Limonick, Jill Kitnick,
and Margo Phelp
On Friday, February 23rd, an appreciation lunch was held at HSB to celebrate the wonderful work of our Beloved Bear Seamstresses. Jill Kitnick was one of the original volunteers who helped launch this program in 2010. Beloved Bears (or pillows) are handcrafted from the clothing of a loved one who has died. The bears offer a sense of security and a soft, comforting remembrance during a time of grieving and can act as a transitional object in the healing process. Anybody who is receiving services from HSB can request a Beloved Bear through their counselor.
Thank You to New York Life Foundation!
New York Life Foundation Logo
Children in a classroom
Thank you to New York Life Foundation for the Grief Reach grant of $15,000 that will help us continue on-campus counseling to secondary school students dealing with
overwhelming feelings of grief.
Knowledge Library
Knowledge Library banner image
HSB is pleased to announce the launch of its Knowledge Library, a webpage dedicated to providing helpful information for our patients and community members. Please click the button below to
browse through our resources.
Thank You!
  • Thank you to Yoga Soup for their ongoing support to HSB staff
  • Thank you to Whole Foods for their weekly donation of flower bouquets to our clients
  • Thank you to Chaucer’s Bookstore for donating bookmarks to our Frank Ostaseski Steering Committee Members
  • Thank you to Nothing Bundt Cakes for donating gift certificates to our Frank Ostaseski Steering Committee Members
Your Savings, Your Legacy
IRA rollover donation flyer
Call Judy Goodbody, CFRE, CRTP, Hospice of Santa Barbara's Planned Giving Officer, at (805) 563-8820 ext. 124 or email [email protected].
Help Fulfill Our Wish List
  • Gift cards to Michael's for Children and Family Services' therapeutic art projects 


  • Gift certificates for ice cream or frozen yogurt, movie passes, museum passes and Zodo's Bowling passes for 'I Have a Friend' Program  

  • Massage gift certificates for our clients 

  • Grocery store and gas gift cards 

  • Bakery gift certificates (Our families celebrate birthdays and death anniversaries of their loved ones)
Thank you for all that you do to support our work!

It is a remarkable privilege to witness the difference we make for those we serve on a daily basis. it is only through your generosity that we can accomplish all that we do and will in the future .
Phone: (805) 563-8820
Fax: (805) 563-8820