Most of us don’t like thinking about death, but it’s part of life—and when someone dies without a will, it can leave behind more than just grief. It often creates confusion, legal complications, and unintended consequences for the people left behind. When there’s no will, it’s called intestacy. In this situation, the law decides how your money, property, and belongings are…
Julie McFadden, BSN, RN, a hospice/palliative care nurse with more than fifteen years of experience, writes: I am asked all the time why in the world I would do something as difficult as working for hospice. People often ask, “Isn’t it so depressing?” It’s sad sometimes, yes. There’s really no way around that. But I don’t find my job to…
From an article by Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, SC, USA, citing Dr. Atul Gawande’s book Being Mortal, summarized by Margaret Verschuur. Facing the end of life is never easy, but asking the right questions can bring clarity, comfort, and a sense of control during one of life’s most uncertain chapters. A growing movement in healthcare is shifting the focus…
At our Leading the Way Together and AGM event on March 27th, Emily Bootle from DeathCareBC.ca was our guest speaker. Her talk will be shared on CKTZ Radio; stay tuned for details. What follows is an excerpt from a blog post by Emily: This is my ninth year in the deathcare industry, after starting out as a fresh-faced 25-year-old in 2016. In…
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…
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…
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…