Talks, Trainings and Facilitation

As an end-of-life doula and death educator, I work not only with individuals but also with groups of people interested in learning more about becoming a supportive presence for those who are dying, facing our own mortality, and making space to tend to our grief. I believe it is a human-making experience to develop our skills to tend to people who are dying or grieving and to learn to face these issues ourselves when the time comes. 

Below are some examples of the work I do with retirement communities, learning organizations and private groups.  If you are interested in discussing ways I might work with your organization, please connect with me.  

I lead trainings and workshops on building our skills to be a supportive presence at the bedside of our dying loved ones and how to leave a legacy of care when we die.  I design and lead trainings and workshops on: how to sit vigil, creating your own vigil plan, writing legacy letters, writing your own obituary and more.  I also give talks about understanding and supporting grief, grief in the workplace, my personal experiences with death and dying, putting heart into your end-of-life planning, and other topics of interest. Reach out if you'd like to discuss a training or presentation options for your organization.

I facilitate small groups of caregivers to create a space for people to share their experiences and support one another as they provide care for a loved one with a chronic or progressive illness or terminal diagnosis.  

I facilitate virtual or in-person grief circles to provide space for people who are grieving to share their story and learn ways of tending to their grief.  Grief is a normal response to a big loss and grieving in community can help us feel less alone.  If your community would like me  to host a grief circle, reach out to discuss options. 

I facilitate book clubs to support learning and engagement on topics related to dying, death and grief. Book clubs can be an informal way to support your own learning about these topics and connect with others on this journey.  I can recommend books and design a series of sessions for you or include the books you are interested in exploring.  If you would like to have me facilitate a book club for your retirement community, neighborhood or friend circle, let's connect!

Death Cafe is an international movement to create spaces for open conversation around topics related to death and dying. I facilitate virtual and in-person death cafes for retirement communities that are seeking to foster conversation and learning about end-of-life issues for their members or residents.  Reach out if you'd like me to facilitate a Death Cafe in your community. 

You can learn more about the Death Cafe movement on their website. 

A living funeral, sometimes called a death meditation, is a guided visualization through a dying process and beyond to help you connect with your own mortality, reflect on the gift of life and bring into focus your values and goals.  Living funerals can also help you face your own death phobias or fear of dying.  I am a certified Living Funeral facilitator through Steady Waves and can provide a ceremony virtually (one-on-one or in a small group online) or in-person (in central North Carolina). 

Contact me to discuss options for a virtual or in-person event and costs.