The Remarkable Story of Humanist Chaplain D.S. Moss

Devin (D.S.) Moss brings a sense of reverence for life and a curiosity about death to his work as a chaplain. During a conversation with a Zen Master about Buddhist beliefs about the afterlife, the suggestion was made to him that he would make a good chaplain. Devin didn’t think he could do the work of spiritual care because of his humanist beliefs. He doesn’t believe in God. Turns out the Zen Master didn’t believe in God, either. 

Despite a religious upbringing, Devin embraces nontheistic, or humanist, beliefs. His sense of exploration led him to attend seminary and become a chaplain. He has found great fullness and human connection in the work of a chaplain. After completing his CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) internship, Devin accepted a position to provide spiritual care for an inmate on death row in Oklahoma. He spent most of 2023 supporting convicted murderer Phillip Hancock. Their relationship culminated in Hancock’s death by execution in November of that year.  

D.S. is also the host of the Memento Mori podcast, a show about spirituality and death he started before he became a chaplain. He’s continuing his exploration and questioning in a new podcast coming the end of summer, 2024. You can find him at mystartingpoint.life.  

Connect with Devin (D.S.) Moss on IG or IG for Remember to Die.

Watch Devin’s talk at EndWell 2023 here.

Find all the resources that Barbara Karnes has to offer at bkbooks.com.

Purchase the End of Life Guideline Series Bundle here.

Read Barbara’s blog here. 

Connect with Barbara Karnes on social media:  Facebook  Insta  LinkedIn Twitter   Pinterest YouTube   

Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Plan to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish!  

Check out the free library of video tutorials from the creators of The Hospice Care Plan hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here.

 Find Odonata Care on social media: Facebook YouTube IG TikTok    

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to [email protected].

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)