A Holistic Approach to Pet Death
Holistic vet Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte interviews Sarah about what happens, energetically and spiritually, as an animal dies and how to prepare for euthanasia.
Supporting Twins to Connect Beyond Death
The brother had never been ritually conveyed to the Village of the Ancestors, and the sister hadn’t been helped to reconfigure their bond so she could relate to him as an ancestor, rather than a living sibling.
My Teachers: Deena Metzger
Deena is a wise woman in every traditional and modern sense of the word. She’s one of the many healers and leaders who inspire me as they revive the ancient practice of community elderhood.
Helping Kids Witness Death
I recently did a euthanizing ceremony for Artie, a family’s beloved cat. The vet came to the house, so the whole family (including Panther, the other cat) could be part of it. It was both very sad, and very beautiful.
A Hospice Deathbed Ritual
They knew the death was coming, but that didn’t prevent the shock and confusion they felt. The ritual brought loving structure to a situation in which the family felt totally unmoored.
Home Deathcare: Tending to the body
Families have the option to care for the bodies of their deceased loved ones at home. For those who chose this option, the experience is personal, meaningful, and deeply healing.
My Teachers: Stephen Jenkinson
Stephen articulates the deep wisdom and healing power of grief and the need to learn the skills of grieving, both for our own sakes, and for the sake of the the world.
A Coffin Closing Ceremony
Instead of standing around awkwardly, drinking bad coffee, and trying to figure out how to act with a dead body in the room, the ritual gave them a way to move their grief.
Ruby Kerr
Ruby Kerr2009-2015
Green Funerals: The Ultimate in Recycling
Before industrial technology, we returned our dead to the earth directly through the transformative powers of Air, Fire, Water and Earth. We can still do that today.
Kathleen “Kay” Isobel (Hanson) Kerr
b. November 18 1919 in Saskatchewan. m. Jack Kerr. d. September 13 2015 in Blairmore, AB.
Keeping Someone’s Ashes in Your House
If you have someone’s ashes in your house, it’s probably for one of three reasons. First, you may be holding onto ashes because it’s the right thing for you to do.
My Teachers: Joanna Macy
Joanna’s embrace of deep time, in which past, present and future all exist together offers an important healing framework that reaches beyond the individualism and linear views of Western consciousness.
A Funeral Held 50 Years After the Death
When Annie was three, her mother and sister died together in childbirth. Fifty years later, the family system was still out of balance and Annie still struggled with her grief.
Honouring my Teachers: Ed Tick
Ed understands the power of ritual and the need for the whole community to come back into balance when there has been an injury to any of its members.
Saying Goodbye to a Dying Cat
Lisa and Marie are nine-year-old twins. Their mom, Molly, called me one day because Zoe, the family’s almost-20-year-old cat, was in her dying time and it was time to say goodbye.
Honouring my Teachers: Starhawk
Self-described witch, Starhawk has reclaimed and evolved the European pagan tradition using rituals, goddess teachings, and mythology.
A Community Support Circle
After his stroke, I held a series of rituals to help my Dad find peace with what had happened, and to bring the larger family and community system back into balance.