My three children were born at home in the late '80's and early 90's with midwifery care. A few years ago, as I was transitioning from my suburban life to my new community in Kingston, I began to actively explore the equivalent kind of care at the other end of life. My interest has been in preparation for my parents' deaths, and for myself in exploration of the great mystery that is death.
I have always been curious about how to find meaningful approaches to life transitions and I see dying as the penultimate transition.
Rather than being a morbid topic, I have found that conversations about dying and considering what is important at end-of-life to be very life-affirming.
I co-founded the initiative: “Closing Time” – a community deathcare group in Kingston, in 2017. This group has allowed me the opportunity to share experiences and information with others in my neighbourhood who are interested in exploring options for end-of-life and after-death care.
I have always been curious about how to find meaningful approaches to life transitions and I see dying as the penultimate transition.
Rather than being a morbid topic, I have found that conversations about dying and considering what is important at end-of-life to be very life-affirming.
I co-founded the initiative: “Closing Time” – a community deathcare group in Kingston, in 2017. This group has allowed me the opportunity to share experiences and information with others in my neighbourhood who are interested in exploring options for end-of-life and after-death care.
A background in massage therapy, certification as a co-active life coach and training as a yoga teacher have prepared the way for this work as a Deathcare Guide. A key element in each of these professions is the ability to be fully present and to listen deeply to the individual.
I graduated from the Institute of Traditional Medicine’s Contemplative End Of Life Care program in the spring of 2016. Additional learning and experience through Hospice Kingston and the palliative care program at St. Mary of the Lake/Providence Care Hospital have provided me with a sense of what services are available in Kingston. Training with Barb Phillips in the How-To of Home Funerals deepened my understanding of alternative, or traditional, choices for after-death care.
I graduated from the Institute of Traditional Medicine’s Contemplative End Of Life Care program in the spring of 2016. Additional learning and experience through Hospice Kingston and the palliative care program at St. Mary of the Lake/Providence Care Hospital have provided me with a sense of what services are available in Kingston. Training with Barb Phillips in the How-To of Home Funerals deepened my understanding of alternative, or traditional, choices for after-death care.
I bring deep listening to a pragmatic, heart-centered approach to end-of-life care.
As a Deathcare Guide I empower people to uncover what a ‘good death’ means to them, through conversation and reflection. We co-create a death plan that honours the individual’s values and has the details identified to support that vision of a good death. I can also offer care and support during the dying time, as well as after-death care and home funeral guidance.
In 2019 I started meetings for, and with, other deathcare practitioners in the Kingston area to offer support to each other, with the hope of eventually forming a Collective.
Encircle, Soulful Singing At The Bedside, is another initiative, in collaboration with Wendy Luella Perkins. Unfortunately, offerings of singing at the bedside have been put on hold during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Encircle, Soulful Singing At The Bedside, is another initiative, in collaboration with Wendy Luella Perkins. Unfortunately, offerings of singing at the bedside have been put on hold during the Covid 19 pandemic.