Have you ever heard of an end-of-life doula? While most people recognize the term doula as related to birth and babies, there are now doulas specializing in death and dying. For those who have received the unfortunate news that they have a terminal illness or that their health is declining,…
Have you heard about Bereavement Photography? Unless you've ever been in the position to request this service, it's unlikely that you have. It's a hush-hush topic, as it generally has to do with terminally ill children or still born babies. And while you might want to turn a blind eye…
When it comes to the difficult conversations - ones about death and dying - we can't always find the right words to describe how we're feeling. Whether you're trying to come to terms with what's happening to you or a loved one, or if you want to find a good…
While death is sad at any age. When we care about someone, the loss is felt regardless of how old they were. That said, many of us have an easier time accepting the death of an elderly family member, as these deaths are sometimes followed by feelings of relief. "I'm…
Even though it's one of the most human things in the world, many of us are still very uncomfortable talking about death and dying. Even though it is inevitable, most of us are hush-hush about it. Some people are trying to change this. That is where the death cafe comes…
While there is no guide book for handling grief, a recent article in The New York Times (Oct 12, 2018) attempts to shed some light on the subject. The piece, titled "A Handbook for Grieving" by Caroline M. Grant, deals with the months, week and days leading up to the death…
If you lost someone close to you this year - be it a friend, family member, colleague, or classmate - you are probably entering 2018 with a very different mind set. New Year's Resolutions might seem silly or trivial, and life feels unpredictable. While it may not work for everyone,…
While we see our neighbours and friends getting ready for Halloween with spooky ghosts and pumpkins on their porches, we forget the origins of this now mostly secular holiday. While today we celebrate October 31st by dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, attending parties, carving pumpkins, and watching scary movies, but…
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of the many things we are thankful for this year. Many of us will share a splendid feast with loved ones this coming weekend - where we will laugh, share stories, and recall fond memories. For those who lost a loved one this past…
Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. Even though it's been so long, that day remains fresh in a lot of people's memories. Many of us can recall where were were, and who we were with when we heard the news. The same goes for other…
