A place of comfort: How the Schneidmiller Hospice House transforms end-of-life care in North Idaho
In the heart of Coeur d’Alene, the Schneidmiller House offers more than medical care, it provides a sanctuary of compassion, dignity, and peace for those at the end of life. As North Idaho’s only freestanding inpatient hospice facility and the largest in the Inland Northwest, it delivers expert care in a warm, home-like environment. Its true impact is felt in the comfort it brings to families, the support it offers caregivers, and the way it embraces the community during life’s most challenging moments.
Owned and operated by the nonprofit Hospice of North Idaho (HONI), the facility was established in 2011 as the first and only hospice inpatient unit in the state. It was named the Schneidmiller House in 2016 in honor of Mannie and Gladys Schneidmiller, local philanthropists and long-time supporters of the hospice mission. Each private suite is thoughtfully designed to feel like home, offering space for loved ones to stay close. HONI staff are available around the clock to manage symptoms and provide emotional and spiritual support to both patients and families.
Set on a serene six-acre campus, the Schneidmiller Hospice House is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, dedicated memorials, a Telephone of the Wind, water features, a dog park, and peaceful walking paths creating a tranquil environment that encourages reflection and connection. Inside, the experience is just as comforting. Talented in-house chefs prepare customized meals for patients and fresh, delicious soup for everyone daily, nourishing both patients and visiting loved ones with warmth and care.
For many, the Hospice House becomes a vital sanctuary during one of life’s most difficult transitions. Families often speak of the profound relief they feel upon arrival, knowing their loved one is in compassionate and capable hands. The care extends beyond the patient, embracing families with guidance, grief support, and the space to share meaningful final moments together.
The facility fills a critical gap in regional healthcare. It supports those who cannot remain at home due to medical complexity, housing instability, or the absence of caregivers. The Schneidmiller House offers acute-level care during medical crises and short-term “respite stays” of up to five days, giving caregivers a much-needed break, all covered under the Hospice Medicare Benefit.
From the beginning, the Hospice House has been sustained by a generous and caring community. Donors, volunteers, and local businesses have played a crucial role in ensuring services remain available to all, regardless of ability to pay. Fundraising events, like the annual Hospice Wine Taste and Auction, directly support patient care and family services.
Volunteers are an essential part of the hospice environment. Whether offering companionship to patients, tending to the gardens, or supporting staff, these individuals reflect the deep spirit of service and compassion that defines the Schneidmiller Hospice House.
In every room, every comforting meal, and every gentle gesture, the Schneidmiller Hospice House affirms a powerful truth: that every life deserves to be honored and every death met with dignity and compassion. As the region continues to grow, so will the need for this specialized care and the Hospice House stands ready, as always, to serve those in need.
It’s not just a place for end-of-life support, it’s a place to be cared for, remembered, and deeply loved.
