Category: grief

Death Doula’s Toolbox: Herbal Education – Hawthorn is for Heartbreak (and more!)

Posted on by Laura

I’m excited that 2017 will see the introduction of my new Herbal Education for Death and Mourning Doulas Program, which will wonderfully supplement our existing death and mourning doula trainings. In support of that initiative, I will be blogging about one herb each month, focusing on both scientific and/or folkloric beliefs about the use of Read more about Death Doula’s Toolbox: Herbal Education – Hawthorn is for Heartbreak (and more!)[…]

Drawn to the World of Death & Mourning?

Posted on by developer

Perhaps it’s the secret you don’t share.  Or if you do, most don’t understand you’re fascination with all (or many) things death and mourning. You get that it’s strange in the eyes of most people, that we live in a culture that goes to great extremes to avoid discussing death.  Sure, people are constantly dying on Read more about Drawn to the World of Death & Mourning?[…]

Sitting With the Dead

Posted on by developer

“Folks ask me to come and stay with their loved ones ’til someone comes from the funeral home to pick them up, you know, because I’m a nurse, and they don’t want to stay with the dead body.  Of their own loved one,” she said, incredulous.  “I guess I get it, maybe they’re afraid of Read more about Sitting With the Dead[…]

What’s All this Death Positive Talk?

Posted on by developer

Hey you!  Yes you, reading this!   Guess what?   We have to inform you … you are going to die.   But then again, so are we. Death.   The plight we all have in common.   100% of the people you ever meet will die.   All 100% of them.  How many other things Read more about What’s All this Death Positive Talk?[…]

23 Spiritualized Comfort Cliches to Avoid When a Child Dies

Posted on by developer

Caleb Wilde, shared the following post on his “Confessions of a Funeral Director” blog.  It is an anonymous post originally shared on Michelle Van Loon’s blog, “Pilgrim’s Road Trip,” and with his permission I am sharing it here.   This post is tremendously important, and should not be missed.   Having worked in both the Read more about 23 Spiritualized Comfort Cliches to Avoid When a Child Dies[…]

Comedian Billy Connolly Plans Interactive Burial Plot

Posted on by developer

Comedian Billy Connolly plans an interactive burial plot, where a recording will be triggered when someone steps on a sensor.  Talk about re-framing how we look at death! I love his positivity as he faces mortality.   Click here to read more.

What’s The Difference Between A Coffin and a Casket?

Posted on by developer

 Great question! The answer is:  Not much at the end of the day, as they are both boxes designed to hold and transport the dead.   Really, the primary difference comes down to shape. The word coffin dates back to about the 16th century.  It typically has six or eight sides, tapering down toward the feet. Read more about What’s The Difference Between A Coffin and a Casket?[…]

Do You Have to Purchase Your Casket From The Funeral Home?

Posted on by developer

  My last post generated some questions, as I had mentioned that my client ordered an eco-friendly casket from another provider.   It seems that people are surprised to hear this is a possibility.   It is, in fact, a right that is protected under the Funeral Rule. This rule states that you may order your casket  from Read more about Do You Have to Purchase Your Casket From The Funeral Home?[…]

Death Doula Diary – The Up-sell

Posted on by developer

  Today I will share with you a scenario from one specific funeral I provided support through, but unfortunately, it is similar to a scene I’ve seen played out many times before. This funeral was for a young man in his early 20s who had died of a suspected suicide.   His parents were, as Read more about Death Doula Diary – The Up-sell[…]

How Do You Want to Be Remembered?

Posted on by developer

Each of us hopes to be remembered well – however we define well 🙂   Yet how is it that some live a more robust life than others, and what can you do to help ensure you have used your life to write the best story possible? The key is to remember that we are Read more about How Do You Want to Be Remembered?[…]