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…
Some people who are critically ill need an organ transplant to live. But there are a lot more organs needed than are available. Many people choose to donate organs upon their death. The best way to record your decisions to be an organ donor is by registering with the BC Transplant Organ Registry. This ensures that health care providers in…
Many of us would like to die in our own home. Although it may not always be possible, it is far more likely when one is prepared. Much of this information also applies to a death in a hospital or care facility, as the body can be returned home. If the death of your loved one is expected within a…
From Atul Gawande, a book that has the potential to change medicine – and lives. The following book description is from Atul Gawande’s website: Medicine has triumphed in modern times, transforming the dangers of childbirth, injury, and disease from harrowing to manageable. But when it comes to the inescapable realities of aging and death, what medicine can do often runs…
As you think about being kind to those you leave behind, consider the question of what a “good death” might look like for you. Would you prefer to die at home, surrounded by friends and family, if that were possible? Or would you like just one or two people by your side, and if so, who? If there is pain…
A death doula is a non-medical person trained to care for someone holistically (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) at the end-of-life. They recognize death as a natural, accepted, and honoured part of life. Death doulas are also known as end-of-life coaches, transition guides, and end-of-life doulas. Although we’ve been dying for thousands of years, it is only in the last…
A new year is a great time to set an intention to “get your ducks in a row”. Being prepared makes a huge difference; be kind to those you leave behind. The effort you put in now can save others incalculable time, money, heartache, and disagreements later. In broad strokes, there are two categories that need your attention – your…