Ep. 64: Redefining Grief and Embracing End-of-Life with Ashley Oppon

The way we perceive and approach death and grief has transformed. Traditionally considered taboo, these subjects are now being addressed with increased openness and empathy. Hospice care, for instance, focuses on providing comfort, dignity, and support to individuals during their end-of-life journey, highlighting the importance of a more holistic approach to this stage of life. This evolving perspective acknowledges death as a natural part of the human experience and grief as a multi-faceted emotion. By reshaping our perceptions, we not only embrace the inevitability of mortality but also create an environment that promotes compassionate conversations and offers solace to grieving, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for everyone involved.

 

Join the conversation with Ashley Oppon as we explore how African and Western cultures deal with death and mourning. We'll also discuss what these cultures can learn from each other. Ashley Oppon is a Registered Nurse, Shamanic Practitioner, and a Death Midwife. She is also a Home Funeral Guide and an advocate for Medical Aid in Dying and Green and Natural Burials. Seeing death in many different ways throughout her nursing career, she wanted to do more work to make death culture more of a place for reflection and healthy grieving. She has done extensive death training and can support individuals from advanced planning to funerals and vigils. She is a part of Sisters of the Sacred, a spiritual collective that creates sacred space for all of life's major moments. With her death work, she hopes to make the dying process a space for peace at the end.

 

Tune in!

 

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Ashley Oppon

[01:49] Ashley’s backstory and her unique contributions to the end of life

[02:52] Her love for nursing and oncology

[04:32] Ashley’s specialty with cancer patients

[07:37] Her journey in hospice as a caregiver

[08:10] How Ashley became a death doula

[14:09] How Western culture can let out grief and loss in a comfortable manner

[16:42] West Africa’s culture of grieving that Westerners can borrow

[22:17] How Ashley balances her main job with offering death doula services

[24:19] What everyone should know about hospice

[26:33] Ashley’s memorable stories as a hospice caregiver

[30:47] Golden takeaway nuggets from Ashley

[31:26] Wrap-up and end of the show 

Notable Quotes 

• As a death doula or midwife, your work is to help people have everything they need, medically or emotionally. [12:03] 

• Hospice is an excellent resource. The sooner you get there, the better. [24:19] 

• Putting people in hospice does not mean leaving them to die. Somebody in hospice will live their last days as comfortably as possible. [24:55]

Let’s Connect

Ashley Oppon

Website: https://www.sistersofthesacred.com/

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: 973-370-4743

Ashely’s podcast: https://www.dinewiththedivine.com/

 

Marie's Contact: [email protected] www.hospiceexplained.com http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice [email protected] Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080