In the introduction to Anatomy of the Spirit, American author Caroline Myss recounts a personal experience that profoundly altered the direction of her life. Upon arriving in Alaska to start her summer job, she shared a brief tea with Rachel, a woman in her early eighties of both Russian and Athabaskan heritage. The following is an excerpt from their conversation. Caroline…
When we lose someone dear to us, how do we say goodbye? For centuries, families tended to their deceased loved ones at home, embracing the rituals and tasks of care as a natural part of life. Today, most turn to funeral homes for assistance. However, a growing number of people are rediscovering the intimacy and connection of home funerals. While…
Swedish Death Cleaning, or döstädning, is a thoughtful way to prepare for the inevitable: death. It’s about simplifying your life and easing the burden on those who will have to manage your belongings when you’re no longer around. While the term might sound a bit morbid, it’s really an invitation to take control of your possessions before it’s too late. The…
The start of a new year is an ideal time to set the intention to organize your end-of-life plans. Preparing now can save your loved ones time, money, heartache, and disagreements later, and is kind to those you leave behind. Broadly, there are two areas requiring attention: your health care and body, and your earthly possessions and responsibilities. Two timelines…
After a heartfelt and moving presentation at our monthly community meeting, I asked Kira to write a story about her mother’s death. May this sharing touch you and expand your awareness about what is possible. “Happy, happy, happy dead.” These were the words of my mother, Kathryn MacDuffee, spoken a few years ago as she shared her vision and…
In 2010, Sasaki Itaru of Japan, grieving the loss of his cousin to cancer, discovered something beautiful: a poem his cousin had written, titled The Phone of the Wind. The poem spoke of a mysterious phone, one that had no line, no connection—only the wind, which carried thoughts and feelings directly to the heart. “Whisper to the wind,” the poem…
While in her early thirties, Anna Byrne was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. Over the next seven years, she endured four relapses, two stem cell transplants, and spent over 2,000 hours in Canadian hospitals. In 2014, she was given two years to live. Despite the odds, Anna left treatment cancer-free. She became a hospice volunteer and…
At a Death Cafe, people—often strangers—gather to enjoy cake, sip tea, and engage in conversations about a topic that many find difficult to discuss: death. This unique setting provides a welcoming atmosphere where participants can share their thoughts, fears, and experiences related to mortality, all while indulging in comforting refreshments. The mission of a Death Cafe is: “to increase awareness…
Karen Wyatt MD is a family physician and the founder of End of Life University (eolupodcast.com). She spent much of her 25 year medical career working with patients in challenging settings, such as hospice, nursing homes and indigent clinics. In a blog post, Dr. Wyatt writes: These are the fundamental truths of death and dying that should be taught to every…
Sarah Kerr is a death doula and educator based in Victoria. This is a transcript from her video. As a death doula, I help dying people and their families navigate endings. I help them to navigate the loss of something incredibly precious – of relationships, of love in this physical dimension. It’s a huge process of saying goodbye, and of…