New Additions to the Way To Go Library

Thanks to a generous Small Neighbourhood Grant administered by the Quadra Island Community Foundation, the Way To Go library is now home to six new, enriching books. From compassionate caregiving to the ways we can support children through grief, these additions deepen the resources available at the southwest corner of the Quadra Island branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

Here’s a look at the new books available for you to explore:

1. Present to the End: A Caring Companion’s Guide for Accompanying the Dying by Kirsten DeLeo

Kirsten DeLeo’s heartfelt guidebook invites readers to confront their own discomfort and embrace the opportunity to be present for the dying. With warmth and respect, DeLeo offers practical tools for caregivers and companions, making it an invaluable resource for anyone supporting a loved one through the final stages of life. As Cheryl Giles, co-editor of The Arts of Contemplative Care, puts it, this is “a must-have guidebook that is thoughtful, accessible, and offers practical tools for caring companions.”

2. Home Funeral Ceremonies: A Primer to Honor the Dying and the Dead with Reverence, Light-heartedness, and Grace by Donna Belk and Kateyanne Unullisi

Home funerals offer an intimate and meaningful way to honour a loved one’s passing, and this book provides all the guidance needed to do so. Belk and Unullisi explore how to create sacred spaces at home and carry out funeral ceremonies with compassion, beauty, and grace. Dr. Karen Wyatt, a physician and author, notes, “To accompany one through life’s final passage at home is the greatest gift of love you can bestow.”

3. Loving and Losing Granny Boo Boo by Janie Dyson

This sweet, simple children’s book helps young readers navigate the emotional experience of losing a grandparent—or anyone they love. With honesty and love, Dyson uses clear language and a touch of practicality to offer children a comforting framework for understanding loss. It’s a wonderful tool for parents and caregivers helping children cope with grief.

4. Disconnected from Death: The Evolution of Funerary Customs and the Unmasking of Death in America by April Slaughter and Troy Taylor

Our ancestors were deeply connected to death through daily customs and rituals, but in today’s society, death is often something we try to avoid confronting. Disconnected from Death explores how funerary customs have evolved and how the modern funeral industry has distanced us from death. Slaughter and Taylor examine traditions both past and present, offering insight into how we might reconnect with death and honour those who have died in a more meaningful way.

5. 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life by Linda Hochstetler

Written in the spirit of the “Positive Death Movement,” this guide helps readers approach end-of-life care with a sense of purpose and clarity. Hochstetler offers practical advice on recognizing the signs of impending death, facilitating crucial conversations, and making informed decisions. The book addresses medical, psychological, and social aspects of death, as well as grief work and rites of passage, helping families navigate the end-of-life journey.

6. Sacred Passage: How to Provide Fearless, Compassionate Care for the Dying by Margaret Coberly

Margaret Coberly’s book provides an essential roadmap for those caring for the dying, offering a wealth of knowledge from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Coberly teaches how to promote a peaceful environment, meet the changing needs of the dying, and face the inevitable with honesty, courage, and compassion. As Joan Halifax notes, “This is a rich and wise book that will help many people.”

We invite you to visit the Way To Go Library and explore these and other titles that can help us become more comfortable with death, dying, grieving, and loving. Death is a part of our lives, and these books may offer ways to deepen and enrich our experiences.