For those interested in companioning hospice patients, Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers will begin a nine-week training class beginning Monday, Oct. 15 from 1-4 p.m. at the organization's office in Rockport. While the 30-hour course is comprehensive, the aim is simple: to prepare volunteers to enter an end-of-life situation and be poised, present and able to help.

Applications for training are due Oct. 5. Applications can be mailed to anyone interested, or they may be downloaded at coastalfamilyhopsice.com.

Hospice care embraces the whole person and their family, providing spiritual, social, emotional and physical support. Coastal Family Hospice works with Kno-Wal-Lin Homecare and Hospice to provide volunteer support to its hospice patients in Knox and Lincoln counties. For more information, please call 593-9355 or email coastalfamilyhospicevolunteers@gmail.com.