A Path Home

In this episode Ray Mulvey and his daughter Laurie describe the home funeral they arranged for Ray's wife of 58 years, Judy. Ray lives in New Jersey, one of the states that requires hiring a funeral director to oversee certain aspects of the funeral. Laurie is a resident of Pennsylvania and a member of her local chapter of the Funeral Consumers Alliance. To learn more about this important organization see their website here:  https://funerals.org/
The movie Laurie mentions watching is the 2003 PBS documentary called, A Family Undertaking.  It is available to order on DVD from Netflix.

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Gabrielle Walters shares the arduous journey she made alongside her husband, Billy, when he was struck with a devastating illness at the end of May 2020. Determined that he would not die in the hospital, Gabrielle brought him home on the day of their 30th wedding anniversary. Back at home, with his children and grandchildren present, Billy died the next day. Following her heart and with a little bit of knowledge about after-death care, Gabrielle tended to his body at home where he spent two nights before being cremated.

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This episode offers ideas for people interested in raising the awareness of alternative death care practices in their communities, as well as helpful things to consider when planning a home funeral. Rebecca Senoglu, chaplain and longtime member of the NHFA, shares her path working to raise the awareness of family centered after-death care through meetings with the hospital, forming relationships with locally owned funeral homes and creating public programs in Chico, California.  She also shares the details of a home funeral for a beloved member of her community. To listen to archived episodes of Rebecca's radio program go here: https://soundcloud.com/rebecca-senoglu
or here: https://www.facebook.com/The-Wheel-Mysteries-547640429035576
To learn more about hosting a Death Cafe: https://deathcafe.com/

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Adrienne Parker describes bringing her mother home where she died surrounded by three generations of family members.  After her death they spent time with her body in the parlor of the old Victorian house where Adrienne was living. The grandchildren filled their days decorating the cardboard coffin their great grandmother would be cremated in.

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On this episode we hear from Alexa Sunshine Rose who shares the story of her husband, Warren, a father, activist, environmentalist, educator and EMT who died right before the New Year of 2020. Warren had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, however his death was sudden and unexpected. Alexa shares details of the autopsy on Warren's body that some listeners may find disturbing.
To read more about Alexa's experience, the loving help she received from the community and her grief journey, see her blog at: https://alexasunshinerose.wordpress.com/

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Along with her family and guest host, Dani LaVoire, Sarah Crews, shares the story of the home funeral and green burial that the family arranged for their father and grandfather, Ed Hawley. Here is the link to Heart Land Prairie Cemetery: http://www.heartlandprairiecemetery.org/ 

Bedside Blessing when Someone has Died
by Ellen Hufschmidt

Thank you for your mind and all the thoughts and dreams you had.
Thank you for your eyes for all the beauty and ugliness you witnessed.
Thank you for your ears and all you have heard, the peaceful and the harsh.
Thank you for the words you spoke and those you couldn't speak but wanted to.
Thank you for the breath that gave you life.
Thank you for your heart that bore your sweetness.
Thank you for your back and shoulders for bearing the responsibilities you accepted.
Thank you for the love you shared.
Thank you for your hands, for all they held.
Thank you for your legs that carried your humanness.
Thank you for your feet that stood you on the ground.
Thank you for your life that touched us deeply.
You are blessed. You will be missed.

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13 years ago, on New Year’s eve, Anne Jungerman’s husband, Ed, died suddenly and unexpectedly while out on his bike. In the hours that followed, Anne’s close knit community came together to support her and her boys, who were deep in the shock of assimilating the unfathomable news that came to them on that otherwise ordinary morning. 
You can connect with Anne on Facebook by joining her community page on "all things new and not-so-new about death and dying" @OmaiGrace.

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On today's episode Anne-Marie Keppel shares the extraordinary life of her father-in-law Marcelo, a refugee from Chile who settled in New York City. Marcelo died in a hospital ICU in 2019. Anne-Marie made arrangements to bring his body to their home for an intimate home funeral with the family.

Anne-Marie is the author of a book called Death Nesting: Ancient and Modern Death Doula Techniques, Mindfulness Practices and Herbal Care. You can find out more about her work here: https://stardustmeadow.com/

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Final Passages founder, Jerrigrace Lyons, shares the story of attending to her dear friend, Deana, who chose the option of medical aid in dying to end her long journey through cancer. Hawaii's Our Care, Our Choice Act was passed in January of 2019. Jerrigrace joined her friend on Maui in January of 2020 and was present for her death and instrumental in carrying out her after-death care along with Deana's closest friends. To learn more about Hawaii's OCOC legislation see: https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/ococ/ Final Passages is a tremendous resource for community-centered after-death care. To find out more about them and the workshops Jerrigrace provides see: https://finalpassages.org/

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Courtney shares the story of caring for her mom who died at home during the pandemic. With the support of hospice and LA based home funeral guide, Olivia Bareham, Courtney was able to care for her mother in her home, before and after her death. She is currently working on creating a photo essay of the experience which we will provide the link to when it is complete. For more about the services Olivia provides in the LA region see her website here: http://www.sacredcrossingsfuneralhome.com/home-funerals
Listen to Leonard Cohen narrate The Tibetan Book of the Dead documentary on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5A2erZXJx8&t=42s
For creative rituals during Covid-19 watch this video with Pia Interlandi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHET_Q5fok4&t=14s

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