Take a breath, as we are here to help you. If you don't see a description of what you need, please reach out to us and ask. 

 

Note that many of these services can be provided to the person who is dying as well as to family members and friends.

 

Legacy Projects

Creating a legacy project provides a beautiful opportunity to review and reflect on one’s life and how one might like to be remembered for generations to come. Reflecting on special memories and stories can be beneficial on many levels, such as having something meaningful to focus on during this difficult time. Loved ones, including children, can also become involved in the creation of the legacy project. Examples of legacy projects are recorded interviews, memoirs, artwork, photo albums, letters, establishing annual events, etc. 

 

End-of-Life Planning

Much of the fear and uncertainty regarding death has to do with not knowing what to expect, worries that one’s wishes will not be carried out, and/or concerns that one’s affairs will not be in order. None of this is simple and often requires advance planning and contemplation. We can help by providing information and support and by facilitating the required conversations and paperwork. This may include advanced care directives and related forms and procedures, preferences for dying in the home vs hospice vs hospital, and family-led viewing or funeral services. By providing education and support, we can empower individuals to be involved in decision-making related to before, during, and after death. 

 

Sacred Space & Vigil 

Envisioning one’s last remaining weeks, days, and hours can be difficult and can bring up a lot of fear and anxiety. But with honest conversations, thoughtful preparation, and education, it can be a more peaceful time. Whether the planned death takes place in the home, hospice, or hospital, we can help create a sacred and peaceful environment for the final days. This might include the use of rituals, music, shared silence, scents, readings, healing touch, meditation, reiki, and the presence (or absence) of others. We can also help to arrange a vigil in the final few days to ensure that there is always someone at the bedside and that loved ones feel supported. 

 

Living Funeral

A living funeral is an opportunity to celebrate one’s life with family and friends while the person is still alive, and/or to provide an opportunity to say goodbyes in person. It is a chance to connect with loved ones, to share stories and memories, and to experience love and support. It can be as simple as an intimate afternoon tea or as elaborate as a large, catered reception. A living funeral does not need to replace a funeral or memorial after the person has died.  

 

Caring for a Loved One’s Body 

Depending on the circumstances of the person’s death, family members may wish to sit with their loved one for a while and/or participate in the final preparation of the body. This can include washing all or parts of the body, combing the hair, and dressing. We can provide guidance and step-by-step instructions, including suggestions for rituals and/or prayers to make this a special and sacred time. Taking this time to care for a loved one’s body, as opposed to having it done by medical or funeral staff, can be a beautiful final gesture and may help in saying your goodbyes in a private manner. 

 

Navigating the Paperwork

We can provide assistance with navigating the process and with gathering and filling out the documents that are required by the province when someone dies. We can also make referrals to other professionals in the community, as both the process and the documentation will vary depending on whether there is a legal will.

 

Funeral/Memorial Planning & Celebrancy

Planning and holding a viewing, funeral, and/or memorial service can be time consuming and exhausting. We can provide information on various options (including home or family-led funerals) and guide families and friends in planning personalized and meaningful services. We can also act as a celebrant (officiant) and lead these services, if the family wishes. Planning can also be done in advance, with the dying person. 

 

Reiki

Reiki is a form of holistic and natural hands-on healing that works well with other therapies and conventional medicine. Reiki can help ease some of the emotional pain felt during this time, while also reducing physical pain, tension, anxiety, stress, and promoting deeper peace, relaxation, and sleep. 

 

Grief Support 

Many people experience a series of losses leading up to the end of their life. These may include the loss of physical ability and mental focus, the loss of dignity, privacy, and independence, and the loss of control. As well, family and friends may feel like they are grieving the loss of their loved one even before they have died. It is normal to feel tremendous grief during this time, but this feeling and its causes are not always easy to recognize. We can help to identify grief-related emotions, what may be causing them, and which coping strategies might help. 

 

Spiritual Care

Facing the end of life (one’s own or that of a loved one) can cause great psychic and psychological distress, regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs. Mortality becomes more than a concept, and many people feel afraid and alone. We can provide non-denominational spiritual care and support to help explore and ease some of this distress. 

 

Bereavement Support

Just as every person is unique, every person’s response to loss is unique. Grieving is a complex experience, but it can be made less traumatic through support, validation, and compassion. We can help to identify and acknowledge one’s emotions, suggest coping strategies, and make referrals to other avenues of support in the community.

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Follow-up Bereavement Support

Approximately 3 to 6 weeks after a loved one’s death can be a particularly challenging time. This is around the time that outside support starts to evaporate, as people return to their normal lives, and the vacuum left by the death starts to be felt. We can provide a safe space for the family and loved ones to openly share their experiences and feelings around the actual death, which can also include unforgettable moments of love and insight. This in turn, can help bring out the positive aspects and even the beauty of the death, allowing for true healing to begin.