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Dear Friends, “Death is an important part of life, yet it is one of the hardest things to talk about. In this frank and honest book by death expert Sarah Chavez you will find out what happens when we die, learn about grief, and discover the rituals people around the world use to honor the dead.” That is a quote from the back of a book written for children called “ We Need to Talk About Death - An Important Book About Grief, Celebrations and Love ” written by Sarah Chavez and

Working and training as an end-of-life doula places one intimately alongside life's greatest mysteries—the thin veil separating living from dying. This veil fascinates me deeply; we joyously welcome new life into the world, yet we often fear or mourn the departure of a well-lived life from this earthly existence. Our reactions, perhaps, are shaped by personal maturity and religious or spiritual beliefs, which greatly influence how we navigate this delicate transition. Photo f

Death doulas and their services are an underrepresented field in our health care system. They bridge the gap between individuals and medical professionals, offering continuity of care, personalized attention, respite for families, and education. As Ontario expands access to palliative care and hospice services, communities have an opportunity to think broadly about what quality end-of-life care truly means. Photo from Wix. Many families find themselves longing for deeper, m

We create altars and shrines in public spaces, in places of worship, in our own private spaces or at specific sites where a death or tragedy occurred. When I think about creating an altar, I take inspiration from the words of Karla Helbert, which tell us that altars are significant to healing grief: altars are external representations of interior mysteries…and ways of showing in tangible form what might be happening in our hearts and spirits. Creating altars gives us opportun

Dear Friends, As part of our ongoing discussion and exploration of dying, death and end of life care I thought you might find the book, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande a thought-provoking read. It was recommended to me by another friend, and reading it affirmed many of my thoughts on the modern healthcare system and how ill-equipped it is to deal with someone at the end of their life. “In the past few decades, medical science has rendered o

In the quiet countryside of Halton Hills, a profound and often overlooked service is helping individuals transition through their final journey with dignity and grace. I founded Sacred Crownings to offer compassionate end-of-life guidance, ensuring that no one faces their last days alone or without the care they deserve. Photo from Wix. While society readily acknowledges the importance of birth doulas in ushering new life into the world, death doulas play an equally vital r

This post is re-published with permission from https://www.andrealuudesigns.com/post/becoming-a-death-doula . Photo from Wix. 9 lunar events ago, my rabbit had died. After several months of sitting in my grief, I decided to do the one thing I needed for myself which was to heal myself and seek out my fellow friend and personal astrologist. I was advised by her to try my hand at becoming a death doula after extensively studying my birth chart. She asked "Death must have been a

Bottom Drawer Boxes is a project conceived by @thebabylossmentor in Australia that I would like to share with the Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support (IPLS) community. All recognition of the idea belongs to The Baby Loss Mentor. The Bottom Drawer Box project is on my “to-do” list for the future. The project would require a funding source. The Bottom Drawer Box project recognizes that business owners, community organizations, or industry leaders are likely going to encounter a

Dear Friends, I recently finished reading The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman and couldn’t wait to share it with you. This novel follows Brett Bohlinger, a young woman who, after her mother’s passing, learns she must fulfill a list of childhood dreams to inherit her mother’s fortune. The list includes goals like “Go to Paris” and “Perform live on a super big stage.” As Brett embarks on this journey, she confronts personal challenges and discovers what truly matters in lif

In our fast-paced world, conversations about death often take a backseat. Yet, it's an inevitable part of life that deserves attention and care. As a death doula candidate in Dufferin County, I am passionate about filling the gaps in our community by providing compassionate support to individuals and families navigating the end-of-life journey. Photo from Wix. What is a Death Doula? A death doula, or an end-of-life doula, is a non-medical professional trained to support indiv

This post is republished with permission from https://longwayhometherapy.com/a-final-parting-gift-guest-blog/ In Sweden, there’s a practice called “Death Cleaning”—or Döstädning—popularized by artist and essayist Margareta Magnusson. The idea is to minimize your possessions and declutter so that when you die, others won’t have to. Essentially: clean up after yourself. While there are many benefits to living with less, that is the core intention. Photo from Wix. I first consid

Death is one of the few experiences every human being will face, yet it remains one of the least talked about. In many ways, our culture is deeply uncomfortable with death, often avoiding conversations about it until we have no choice. I know this because I used to be that person. Photo from Wix. I would shield my children from funerals or viewings of family members, and I felt almost annoyed at the idea that anyone might expect me to be comfortable with it. When my children

Dear Friends, I just finished reading a great book that I think would help explain a death doula’s role for you. It's called Cultivating the Doula Heart: Essentials of Compassionate Care by Francesca Lynn ArnoldyI know you expressed an interest in becoming a death doula, as have I. This book is part “how-to guide” and part hopeful manifesto. It helps explain the difference moving from sympathy to empathy to compassion, and also has some contemplative exercises. The book is b

Death isn’t a medical event—it’s a human one. As a death doula, I have the privilege of walking alongside individuals and their families in one of the most intimate chapters of life: the end. My role isn’t to cure or diagnose but to hold space, provide comfort, and guide people through what can often feel like uncharted and overwhelming territory. Photo from Wix. In British Columbia, end-of-life care is evolving. More families are seeking support that is as emotional and spir

Death is one of the few experiences every human being will share, yet it remains one of the most difficult subjects for us to talk about openly. When the end of life approaches, families often find themselves navigating grief, practical decisions, and overwhelming administrative tasks all at once. In those moments, compassionate presence can make an enormous difference. Photo from Wix. Five years ago, I experienced a health crisis that brought me close to death. While I reco

My first memory of wanting to help people die with support was when I was 7 years old, and my grandfather fell ill and was in the hospital for 6 months. I would go to the hospital with my father and spend every day with him and hold his hand. I felt strongly at that age that, although he was in a coma, he could feel me being there, and I was supporting him. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be there when people were sick/dying to hold their hand, to support them,

Dear Friends, You must add Death is but a Dream – Finding Hope and Meaning in Life’s End by Christopher Kerr, MD, PhD to your must-read list. I initially heard Dr. Kerr on CBC Radio. He is originally from Canada and is now practicing as a hospice doctor in the USA. He completed a residency in internal medicine, began a fellowship in cardiology while working as a hospice doctor to help pay his bills. Dr. Kerr states he knew close to nothing what it meant to be a doctor of the

Death is a topic many people avoid but talking about it openly can be surprisingly comforting and insightful. This is where Death Cafés come in—a unique space where people gather to talk about death, dying, and everything in between. If the name Death Café feels a little intimidating, you're not alone. Many people hesitate at first. But don’t let the name keep you away—it’s simply a space for open, honest conversation, often filled with warmth, laughter, and even moments of

Dear Friends, I hope you’re doing well! I just finished reading a book that I think you’d find absolutely fascinating: From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty. It’s one of those books that challenges the way you think about something as universal as death, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. Caitlin Doughty, a mortician and death-positive advocate, travels the world in this book to explore how different cultures approach dea

This post was re-published with permission from https://www.les-passeuses.com/blog/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-2n472-5laka We rarely talk about our own death. Yet taking a moment to imagine how we would like to experience this final transition can become an act of freedom—almost an act of tenderness. An “ideal death” is not a perfect death; it is simply a death that reflects who we are, one that honours our history and our way of moving through the world. Photo from Wix. An end