[A ritual for humanity in intensive care units : A moment of silence and its possible effects].

Dealing with dying and death is an integral part of working in an intensive care unit, yet time pressure and workload often leave little room for emotional processing. A shared moment of silence offers intensive care staff the opportunity to pause after a patient's death, to uphold dignity, and to foster team reflection. This article explores the origin and significance of the ritual, summarizes the current evidence, and provides practical recommendations for its implementation-including appropriate language, involvement of relatives, framework conditions, and evaluation. The moment of silence does not replace structural support measures (e.g., supervision or ethical consultations) but can serve as a meaningful complement to them.