Befriending Death

The next Let's Chat About Death course begins January 12, 2025! ?? ?? ?? ?? Welcome to a practical and spiritual approach to befriending death & dying. The Let's Chat About Death course provides an opportunity to investigate what’s important in our life and make changes that reflect that. LET'S CHAT ABOUT DEATH Winter 2025 with With Kevin & Liane Alternate Sundays, Sundays, January 12 - March 23 9:00AM - 10:30AM PST (12:00PM - 1:30PM EST) We'll bring curiosity as we explore and get intimate with our relationship around death and dying. We’ll get practical with the logistics, because at the end of the day, clear communication is the greatest gift we can leave our loved ones. Course information: - 6 Sessions (90 minutes each) with facilitator & all participants online with instructive talks, dynamic discussion, guided meditations, reflections and small breakout sessions - The buddy groups meet every other week - day and time decided by group - 2 to 3 hours for home assignments on your own, at your leisure (movie/reading/writing/conversations) - 6 hourly sessions with your small group (at a time that works for all) Course topics: - Relationship with death and dying - Working with change, aging, sickness, accidents and death - Preparing for our own death (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and practically) - Preparing for loved one's death & difficult conversations - Bearing witness and being with the dying - Grief & embracing Life Link to register for the course: https://buff.ly/3CjuXuL Link to Befriending Death website: https://buff.ly/3muYUQY (The website link is also posted in the social media bio.) #mortality #deathanddying #endoflifeplanning #endoflifecare #endoflifecoach #deatheducation #elderlawattorney #geriatriccaremanager #seniorspecialist #seniorcommunity #over55community #55community #seniors #aarp #palliativecare #hospicecare #chronicillness #deatheducator #advancecareplanning

Mortician Caitlin Doughty discussing how to make a Death Plan: "I send an email out every year, every other year, entitled Death Plan — which I don’t recommend, because that could freak out your friends and family. But for me, they’re used to it. But I send it out to my mother and to my friends and close people around me and say, here’s exactly what I want. And I also have an advance directive, which — a will, financially, is incredibly, incredibly important. But even more important than that, I would say an advance directive. It’s so easy to do. Type in your state or your country plus advance directive, sign it, get some witnesses, and know who is going to be in charge of your body before you die if you’re in a coma or if you’re very sick, and then who’s going to be in charge of your body after you die. And make sure that person is someone you trust, because especially if you think about LGBTQ community or people who just are not with their family anymore and have chosen family, if you die, all the rights to what happens to your body goes to your next of kin, which is maybe your mom in Alabama who you hate now." Caitlin also made a YouTube video on the topic. 'Making your Death Plan' ?? Link to view video: https://buff.ly/3UeDqX9 ?? Also, the Befriending Death Book Club will be discussing Caitlin Doughty's book 'From Here to Eternity,’ — next month. And you are invited! ? ? BEFRIENDING DEATH BOOK CLUB Wednesday, Apr, 16, 2025 via Zoom 5:00PM - 6:00PM PT / 8:00PM - 9:00PM ET From Here to Eternity, by Caitlin Doughty Link to join the book club: https://lnkd.in/d8ij84Uj @thegooddeath (on Instagram) @askamortician (on Instagram) #caitlindoughty #thegooddeath #deathdoula #deathpositive #bookobsessed #bookclub #bookcommunity #goodreads #booklovers #goodbooks #beforeyoudie #deathplan #eolcare #endoflife #endoflifeplanning #estateplan #endoflifeplanner #advancedirective #bookrecommendations

Sharing a great post about anticipatory grief I saw on Jade Flynn Adgate’s social media account, The Farewell Library. It was a repost from Mel of The Endless Well. ?? @the.farewell.library (on Instagram) @theendlesswell (on Instagram) what is anticipatory grief? feeling grief over an upcoming loss whether it be a physical death or an upcoming ending to something significant, anticipatory grief is often felt when we’re preparing for or waiting for the loss to occur. some examples: when a loved one is sick and actively dying, when a relationship is coming to a close, before a big move, getting ready to leave a job, after being diagnosed with a chronic illness that could lead to a change in ability what are some other examples? how do we make space for anticipatory grief? #grieving #griefjourney #griefsupport #grief #heartbreak #loss #mentalhealth #mortality #livingwithgrief #deathanddying #griefsupport #griefcommunity #anticipatorygrief #loss #deathdoula #deathmidwife #deathpositive #lifeafterloss #bereavement

Guided meditation and dharma talk by Eileen Spillane. Recorded through San Francisco Insight and available on Dharma Seed. Working with Skillful & Unskillful Refuges 30 minute guided meditation, followed by a dharma talk (at 37:30) ?? Link to listen: https://buff.ly/3NuivMn Visit Befriending Death’s website for more audios & resources: https://lnkd.in/gWmJkM_j #dharmatalk #dharma #sanfrancisco #sangha #guidedmeditation #refuge #relief #vipassana #meditate #buddhism #meditation #calm #peace #mentalhealth #mindfulness #insightmeditation #awareness #dharmaseed

Dennis Potter’s last interview before his death in 1994 “What you always know to be true — but you never know it until you know it.” In February 1994, Potter was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas and died four months later, but not before giving an extraordinary television interview in which he talked movingly about his imminent death. #gratitude #awareness #cancer #terminalillness #interview #death #dying #mortality #truth #lastwords #cancerawareness #knowledge #wisdom #aging #courage #grateful #strength #facingdeath #mindfulness

“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” - Maya Angelou Spring equinox has arrived! ?? ???? Will there be a new adventure for you this season? How will you bring more meaning and aliveness to your year? As well as a bit of courage to your wild and very precious life? ?? New Befriending Death courses are on the way, if you need ideas for meaningful activities to enhance your life (and the lives of those you love). Sign-up for the Befriending Death newsletter to stay informed. Let’s explore our relationship around death and dying together, in a supportive community. Link to receive our newsletter: https://buff.ly/3oVeGWq #mortality #deathanddying #endoflifeplanning #endoflifecare #endoflifecoach #deatheducation #seniorspecialist #seniorcommunity #over55community #55community #seniors #aarp #palliativecare #hospicecare #chronicillness #deatheducator #advancecareplanning #spring #livingfully

Are you aware that 9 out of 10 people wish to receive care at home when facing terminal illness? And that 98% of hands-on care at the end of life is provided by family caregivers? Most families lack the training they need to provide this critical care, leaving them feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. The Good Death Book written by Suzanne B. O'Brien, R.N. is built on the idea that knowledge and preparation can transform the way we experience death. It’s a roadmap for creating a more compassionate and empowering end-of-life process. Inside, you’ll learn about everything from the phases of death, to practical tools for caregiving, to ways to honor the spirit and values of the dying. Whether you’re stepping into the role of caregiver or reflecting on your own plans, this book offers hope, clarity, and comfort. In addition to reading The Good Death Book, visit Suzanne's website to connect with opportunities to help you learn and transform your caregiving journey. The Level 1 Family Caregiver Training is free! It is also available in 15 languages. And there is a LIVE training happening on March 20th. As well as a free Certified Care Consultant (CCC) Course with the purchase of just three Good Death books, and so much more. Link to Suzanne B. O'Brien’s website and offers: https://lnkd.in/g8dM8yuU https://lnkd.in/gEmaeaRE @doulagivers (on Facebook) @suzannebobrien (on Facebook) @suzannebobrienrn (on Instagram) "Death doesn’t have to be scary. It can be a profound, sacred experience for everyone involved. During my time as a hospice nurse, I realized that our fear of dying is often rooted in misguided perceptions. Through The Good Death Book, I want to share how we can reframe our relationship with death—turning it into a natural, loving, and even beautiful part of life. It’s time to bring back the sacredness of death and empower families through knowledge and support." - Suzanne B. O'Brien, R.N #hospicecare #endoflifecare #thegooddeathbook #thegooddeath #caregivertraining #thegooddeath #thegooddeathmovement #thegooddeathbook #advancecareplanning #endoflifeplanning #advancedirective #deatheducation #geriatriccaremanager #seniorspecialist #seniorcommunity #over55community #55community #seniors

? Happening TONIGHT. This Wednesday! ?? ?? The Befriending Death Book Club will be discussing Kelly Cervantes‘ book, “Normal Broken” — and she'll be joining us for the discussion! BEFRIENDING DEATH BOOK CLUB Wednesday, March 19, 2025 5PM - 6:30PM (PT) / 8PM - 9:30PM (ET) ? With the author? @kellygc411 (on Instagram) Link to the Befriending Death Book Club: https://buff.ly/07fz38V “None of us make it through life without experiencing loss that leaves us feeling broken. That's what makes grief so normal.” - Kelly Cervantes Link to the Befriending Death website: https://buff.ly/jQIyZXD (The website link is also posted in the social media bio.) #bookobsessed #bookclub #booklover #bookaddict #bookcommunity #goodreads #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookreviews #deathanddying #aarp #lifeafterloss #normal #loss #griefjourney #bookgroups #bookclubs #childloss #griefbooks

Happening this Wednesday! ?? The Befriending Death Book Club will be discussing Kelly Cervantes‘ book, “Normal Broken” — this week. And she'll be joining us for the discussion! ??? Join us. BEFRIENDING DEATH BOOK CLUB Wednesday, March 19, 2025 5PM - 6:30PM (PT) / 8PM - 9:30PM (ET) ? With the author? @kellygc411 (on Instagram) Link to the Befriending Death Book Club: https://buff.ly/07fz38V “None of us make it through life without experiencing loss that leaves us feeling broken. That's what makes grief so normal.” - Kelly Cervantes Link to the Befriending Death website: https://buff.ly/jQIyZXD (The website link is also posted in the social media bio.) #bookobsessed #bookclub #booklover #bookaddict #bookcommunity #goodreads #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookreviews #deathanddying #aarp #lifeafterloss #normal #loss #griefjourney #bookgroups #bookclubs #childloss #griefbooks

"May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends." - Irish Blessing ?? Sometimes you've got to bring the party to the hospital. My mom hated being in the hospital but she made friends with everyone she encountered. #stpatricksday #irish #positivity #happystpatricksday #saintpatricksday #stpatricks #march #stpattys #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #blessings #mom #mothers #hospital #party #friends #friendship #gratitude