Death Doula Blog: You Only Die Once

What Is a Green Burial and Is It Right for You? More and more people are asking about natural and environmentally friendly burial options. Whether it's driven by a desire to minimize environmental impact, a wish for a simpler and more meaningful farewell, or simply wanting something that feels more aligned with how they lived — green burial is worth understanding. Here's what it actually means, what your options are, and some common questions people have. What Is a Green Buri

The word "vigil" comes from the Latin word for watchfulness. And that's exactly what it is - the act of staying present, of keeping watch, of not leaving someone alone as they move through the final hours of their life. In many cultures throughout history, gathering around the dying was simply what families did. It was a community act, a sacred act. Somewhere along the way, as death moved out of homes and into hospitals, that tradition faded. Many people today have never witn

Most people agree that talking about death is important. Most people also avoid doing it for as long as possible. It's understandable. These conversations feel heavy or even taboo in today’s society and it's easy to tell yourself there will be a better time when things settle down, after the holidays, when everyone is in a better headspace. But the truth is, there is never a perfect time. And waiting until there's a crisis means having these conversations when everyone is alr

Most people know they should have an advance directive. Far fewer actually have one. And those who do, many have documents that are incomplete, outdated, or so vague that they don't give their loved ones much to go on when it matters most. If you've been putting this off or if you have a document but aren't sure it's doing what you need it to do this is for you. First, What Is an Advance Directive? An advance directive is a legal document that has your wishes for medical care