Death Matters

From the great folks at When You Die... I had heard it was possible for a person to heal generational trauma, and that this healing can affect the family line past, present and, future. That sounded wonderful to me, but I never truly understood how such a thing could happen. That is until I had the good fortune to interview Eduardo Morales about the Mexican Dia de los Mu***os - the Days of the Dead festival.

We often think it is a one-day event like Halloween. But this healing festival, that is a time to remember friends and family who have died, can last three days. The first day involves school children who traditionally went out at night to collect food for the children who died without any family to honor them. The second day is to celebrate family members who have died by building an altar, serving food that they loved and, telling stories. If a family member had died in the year, they often have very elaborate altars and offer food and music to neighbors and friends. On the third day, families go to the cemetery and have picnics at the grave site.

During these days people talk to the dead. They bring them up to speed on what is happening in their lives. They can speak from their heart about the way they may have been wronged by the person who is dead, or about how they are missed. It is a way to work through old problems and to feel a deeper connection to one's lineage. These cultural practices go way back before the Spanish came to Mexico.

From the village of Tepoztlan, Eduardo Morales talks about the ancient roots and practice of Dia de los Mu***os. I hope you enjoy this short film and soak up some of the feeling of this beautiful and healing ritual. Click here to watch

Enjoy the movie!!

Johanna

Autumn celebrations Samhain, All Saints Day & Dia de los Mu***os.

https://www.bpl.org/blogs/post/the-origins-and-practices-of-holidays-samhain-dia-de-los-muertos-and-all-saints-day/

www.bpl.org

The death of a spouse

"The death of a spouse or partner is different than other losses, in the sense that it literally changes every single thing in your world going forward. When your spouse dies, the way you eat changes. The way you watch TV changes. Your friend circle changes (or disappears entirely.) Your family dynamic/life changes (or disappears entirely). Your financial status changes. Your job situation changes. It effects your self-worth. Your self- esteem. Your confidence. Your rhythms. The way you breathe. Your mentality. Your brain function. (Ever heard the term 'widow brain?' If you don't know what that is, count yourself as very lucky.) Your physical body. Your hobbies and interests. Your sense of security. Your sense of humor. Your sense of
womanhood or manhood. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. CHANGES. You are handed a new life that you never asked for and that you don't particularly want. It is the hardest, most gut- wrenching, horrific, life-altering of things to live with."

Each year on November 2nd, the Day of the Dead, the Halifax Shambhala Centre hosts a reading of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, translated by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Francesca Fremantle. The event begins at 2 p.m.

Familiarizing oneself with the teachings of the bardo, as described in Great Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo, is believed to increase the likelihood of recalling these instructions at the moment of death. The reading will follow a communal format, with participants taking turns—similar to the tradition of reading Rain of Wisdom on Milarepa Day. The entire reading may take four to five hours, but you are welcome to come for as long or as little as you'd like.

Death comes without warning. Come to listen. Come to read. Come to practice.

Please bring your own copy, though we will have a few available to lend.

Please join the reading by zoom if you are not able to be in Halifax and would like to listen or participate.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88060179224?pwd=yJBuxCjIGd8ES3o4m3xYemxUE3lnG7.1

Passcode: bardo

When death is imminent, the way of dying is important.

Ram Dass Discusses the Process of Dying Ram Dass discusses the process of dying and what it means to the journey of awakening. He tells stories of being with the dying and they taught him about liv...

The Preparing to Die Program The Preparing to Die Program   A three-month online interactive training on spiritual and practical preparations for death. This unique program provides an accessible and integrated exploration of a rich and complete cycle of teachings and practices to help you get ready for the end of life. Live s...

Each month we gather around the Death Doula Network International table to create connections, build relationships, learn, and chat - about anything and everything.

This is a valuable experience for new and emerging doulas to gather with DDNI members and others who have experience within the death-caring industry. An excellent container where we can learn, share, and grow together.

This is your opportunity to personally connect with like-minded people, interested in expanding themselves and their understanding of death, dying, and life.

Got questions? Ask us ... ask us anything...

This event offers you the chance to mix and mingle - Yes, even online.

https://ddnint.com/calendar

When the mother was in the final hours of her life, I asked both daughters if they desired to be present at their mother’s death. Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, they said their final good-byes and silently left their mother’s side. After I read stories from Graceful Passages (Stillwater and Malkin) and shared my poems from my heart, kissed this matriarch good-bye, I too headed home to rest as I sensed death was very near. As I prepared for bed, the phone rang. She had died. Directly, I drove back to my client’s care home to begin the rituals of honoring her transition. Both daughters appeared, with the eldest standing at the door. We embraced and slipped into silence, tears, and reverence. After a period of meditation, I asked permission to begin the end-of-life rites. The youngest daughter did not show any signs of fearing death. Her fearlessness became even more evident by her participation in the after-death rituals of bathing, anointing, adorning, and dressing her mother for final dispensation (burial). I inquired if the eldest daughter wished to be present or wait for us in the living room. I placed a chair for her halfway into the room and halfway out in the hall. She chose to sit in a chair at the edge of the room. She had chosen to sit at the threshold of her emotions.

For the next two and one-half hours, the youngest daughter and I bathed her mother, oiled her body, combed her hair, dressed her, sang Yiddish songs, shared memories, and adorned her with jewels and flowers. The eldest daughter, still sitting at the edge of the room, held tightly to her mother’s socks as we cared for her mother’s body. I waited until all the rituals were completed and then I tenderly reached my hand out for the socks. She held the socks ever so tightly near to her heart and she whispered, “I would like to place the socks on my mother.” My breath escaped, as I understood what an unfathomable transition this was for her. Tears flowed down all our cheeks.

Shared from the End of Life Principles training manual written by Dr. Deerheart

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Today at 1pm. Bring your questions and curiosity about natural forms of disposition.

Wondering where you fit?

Hello friends of Green Burial Society of Nova Scotia,

Happy spring! In Halifax, the daffodils are forging ahead through sporadic flurries.

Green Burial Café
We are glad to be hosting our next Green Burial Café on Wednesday March 27th, at 7:00pm ADT. This is an open conversation space for all interested in talking and learning about green burial.

Find us on our Google Meet video call link at:
https://meet.google.com/ond-mwti-zjg
Or dial: ‪(CA) +1 647-736-6174‬ PIN: ‪452 167 355‬ #
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ond-mwti-zjg?pin=4501217959222

I have attached the promotion poster if you would like to share on your socials.

A note on time zones
Please check how your time zone differs from ours here in Nova Scotia. We are tuning in from the Atlantic time zone and will be meeting at 7:00pm ADT. Here is a time zone converter if that is helpful for you: https://dateful.com/time-zone-converter

Fundraising
Supporting our GoFund Me helps make our many outreach efforts possible.
Donate to GBSNS at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/green-burial-society-of-nova-scotia?member=17710271&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

We are raising money with Tru Earth eco-friendly household product sales.
We earn 20% on every sale made through our fundraiser. All you need to do is purchase through our link, and you are supporting our efforts!
Tru-Earth GBSNS Fundraiser Link:
https://www.tru.earth/fundraising-store?irclickid=zqrxOXVjMxyPUNxW3v2TwSeZUkHUWUWnNVhSSA0&irgwc=1&PartnerID=5161348&mp_value1=Green%20Burial%20Society%20of%20Nova%20Scotia×tamp=1711045541793

When you are admitted to the hospital in Nova Scotia, you will be asked to talk about your goals of care and choose the level of intervention (treatments) you would want if your health were to quickly become worse. This pamphlet answers common questions and lists treatments that may be used and when they may be needed. This will replace the DNR (do not resuscitate)

www.nshealth.ca

Shared Death Experience ~ Aging, decline, and death can be challenging experiences to accept. But they don't have to be.

Shared Crossing Project Shared crossing refers to experiences that convey information pertaining to impending death and/or to the perceived continuation of consciousness.

Death - Lifes Great Mystery at ROM

Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery Now Open October 28, 2023 to April 7, 2024 Reserve your spot nowBuy TicketsFREE for MembersMember TicketsBecome a Member About Through artifacts, specimens, and immersive media experiences, learn how life and death are part of a universal, continuous, and cyclical pr...

Support the Green Burial Society Nova Scotia and get your cleaning and laundry products from Tru Earth. Doesn't cost you any more and it sends a portion of the sale to a sustainable cause. Use the link below.

Tru Earth Store Tru Earth Store

The Exit Planning workshop series offers three guided meetings during which you will have the opportunity to explore, document, discuss and make decisions about end-of-life care. The documents you create will provide peace of mind in the event of your illness and/or death.

Advance Directives: what kind of measures do you want taken to keep you alive (or not)
Substitute Decision Maker: who will speak for you if and when you are unable
Funeral Planning: care of your body, funeral ceremony, disposition, and more.
ZOOM schedule (Atlantic time)… (to determine your own time zone go to https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/)

March 11, 18, 25, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Next in-person workshop: May 4, 11, 18, 2024, 2-4 pm. Halifax location to be determined.

Contact us to register.

Cost: Full group series,

ZOOM price $120
Regular price $150; $250 per couple
Patron price $180 (allows us to provide scholarships)
$75 for one session
Generosity policy available
$50 per hour for private consultation.
And if you are dying to repeat the workshop, the cost is half as much!

Please note: Due to program pre-homework registration closes 7 days prior to first meeting. For more information, to register, or to schedule a workshop in your community, please contact us.

Now is the right time to contemplate and prepare for death.

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Learn how to protect yourself.

CATHERINE SHEPHERD: Follow these 10 tips to reduce your risk of dementia | SaltWire It’s a new year, and every new year brings Alzheimer Awareness Month in January. January is also often a time to set new intentions for the upcoming year, ...

We are glad to be hosting our first Green Burial Cafe of 2024 this week on Wednesday January 31st, at 7:00pm AST.

We have the wonderful opportunity to be in conversation with Special Guest Cassandra Yonder. Cassandra is joining us to talk about why people choose Green Burial, and how the products and services that are available may or may not address those choices.

Cassandra is a proud mother and homesteader living in Cape Breton. With a background in Grief and Bereavement, she has been involved with the self named “Community Deathcaring” social movement since 2009 when she started the facebook group and later the online school of the same name. Cassandra believes in the transformational and potentially therapeutic value of reclaiming home based, community centred care of our own dying, dead and bereaved and seeks indigenous leadership in that regard.

We are so honoured to share a conversation space with Cassandra.

Find us on our Google Meet video call link at:
https://meet.google.com/ond-mwti-zjg
Or dial: ‪(CA) +1 647-736-6174‬ PIN: ‪452 167 355‬ #
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ond-mwti-zjg?pin=4501217959222

A note on time zones
Please check how your time zone differs from ours here in Nova Scotia. We are tuning in from the Atlantic time zone and will be meeting at 7:00pm AST. Here is a time zone converter if that is helpful for you: https://dateful.com/time-zone-converter

Death Matter is offering an online workshop as part of Good Grief. Preparing to Die ~ Tuesday, September 26th, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Guided dying visualization followed by exercise and discussion to facilitate creating Transition and Post-mortem Instructions.
PRICING: Free.

REGISTRATION: Registration not required, you can just show up.

ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9596952030?pwd=Q1BxcTRadUZMV2JCM0x3YmZpbGtBQT09
PASSCODE: mortal
Please bring paper and writing implement.

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...