Introduction: ‘Those who have made death their life’

Introduction: ‘Those who have made death their life’
The Daily Yonder - Keep It Rural; by Hannah Clark; 1/15/25 
Hannah Clark spent six months riding along with the nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) of Hearth Hospice who provide in-home care to those living in Northwest Georgia and Southeast Tennessee. These hospice workers often drive up to a hundred miles a day to visit a handful of patients scattered across the Appalachian landscape in both rural towns and urban centers. What will follow this introductory essay is her photo reportage in three parts, documenting what she has witnessed accompanying these caregivers. The intimate portraits and vignettes show tender moments at different stages towards the end of one’s life. Their beauty lies in the companionship Clark captured in moments of need and vulnerability. 
Editor's note: Crucial protocols used for this photographer are worth highlighting. "Before I began working with nurses, I went through a background check, drug screening, and volunteer training. Written permission was given by each household. When patients could not consent due to certain conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia, or patients were non-responsive or actively passing, permission was granted by their power of attorney."