No matter what faith we have, one thing binds all human beings together: caring for those who are dying and those who are left behind.

"Death is not the end," said Rev. Mark Zazula, a panelist Saturday at the Interfaith End of Life Care Conference at the Chin Yin Buddhist Temple, 12688 148th Ave. "Death is the beginning of a new journey."

The two-day free public forum, entitled How We All Care, was aimed at expanding understanding and respect for end-of-life rituals and practices.

Representatives from 15 faiths and spiritual traditions discussed their perception of death and the afterlife.

"If you don't believe or you're a doubter, you're wondering 'What is it like?' " said speaker Dr. Helen Hays. "Is it nothingness? Is it like being in a black box? Are you a tiny speck floating in the universe? Do we really see our families and friends? Are we there to help some afterwards?"

Hays, a palliative care expert, was one of many medical leaders invited to address a crowd of 400 hospital workers, nurses, elderly and other people of numerous faiths.

She spoke about the fears associated with the end of life.

Hays explained caregivers and families need to understand how they can help their loved ones and themselves accept the finality of their existence, and how to deal with questions and fears they might have.

For example, what does it feel like to die?

"The best answer is that, most of the time, most people just get weaker," Hays said. "Pain is attended to and the other symptoms are looked after. The patients do not fear it themselves, but we are watching them."

While the crowd's spiritual beliefs varied, the conference's role was to help people be at peace with death, and to give them tools for understanding how different faiths prepare for the end.

"We can be fairly sure that the time of death is peaceful and rather beautiful, in spite of what we as observers -- family and professionals -- see from the outside," Hays said.

The conference was a first for the city.

"This gathering of different faiths is so important, globally and locally," said Wendell Gelderman, 47, a chaplain at Misericordia Hospital. "And it's a good thing to be a part of."

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