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….
In the introduction to Anatomy of the Spirit, American author Caroline Myss recounts a personal experience that profoundly altered the direction of her life. Upon arriving in Alaska to start her summer job, she shared a brief tea with Rachel, a woman in her early eighties of both Russian and Athabaskan heritage. The following is an excerpt from their conversation. Caroline…
Come join us for the Death Education Fair on March 2nd, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the QCC. Drop by anytime and stay as long as you like. This welcoming event offers a warm and friendly opportunity to learn about aging, dying, death, and grief while you have the cognitive and emotional capacity to do so. Most of us…
For many, conversations about death remain uncomfortable, often avoided until we have no choice but to face them. Yet, understanding the end of life—just as we do birth, growth, and change—can provide clarity, reduce fear, and help us make informed choices that align with our values. Join Way To Go for a Death Education Fair on Sunday, March 2nd, from 1:00 – 4:00…
When we lose someone dear to us, how do we say goodbye? For centuries, families tended to their deceased loved ones at home, embracing the rituals and tasks of care as a natural part of life. Today, most turn to funeral homes for assistance. However, a growing number of people are rediscovering the intimacy and connection of home funerals. While…
Swedish Death Cleaning, or döstädning, is a thoughtful way to prepare for the inevitable: death. It’s about simplifying your life and easing the burden on those who will have to manage your belongings when you’re no longer around. While the term might sound a bit morbid, it’s really an invitation to take control of your possessions before it’s too late….
While in her early thirties, Anna Byrne was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. Over the next seven years, she endured four relapses, two stem cell transplants, and spent over 2,000 hours in Canadian hospitals. In 2014, she was given two years to live. Despite the odds, Anna left treatment cancer-free. She became a hospice volunteer and…
At a Death Cafe, people—often strangers—gather to enjoy cake, sip tea, and engage in conversations about a topic that many find difficult to discuss: death. This unique setting provides a welcoming atmosphere where participants can share their thoughts, fears, and experiences related to mortality, all while indulging in comforting refreshments. The mission of a Death Cafe is: “to increase awareness…
Sarah Kerr is a death doula and educator based in Victoria. This is a transcript from her video. As a death doula, I help dying people and their families navigate endings. I help them to navigate the loss of something incredibly precious – of relationships, of love in this physical dimension. It’s a huge process of saying goodbye, and of…
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a casket is shaped like a box, while a coffin is tapered and has six sides rather than four. To shroud a body simply means to wrap it in cloth. Although caskets are often purchased from a funeral home, they can be built by friends or family, custom made on the island, ordered…