Life’s Blueprint by Tramaine Francis Luster is an indispensable resource that empowers readers to take control of their end-of-life planning with confidence and clarity. This meticulously crafted book offers a step-by-step approach to organizing important documents, making crucial decisions, and ensuring your wishes are known and respected. This beautiful fill-in-the-blank book covers every aspect of life and death. Where some end-of-life planning books stop at simply asking the questions, this book offers expert guidance for everything from wills to healthcare directives to funeral arrangeme ..read more

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time. Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the… Read m ..read more

Meet Angela Shook, a compassionate and dedicated pet death doula who has made it her mission to support pet owners through the most difficult time of their lives – saying goodbye to their beloved pets and service animals. With a deep understanding of the human-animal bond and the grieving process, Angela provides a unique and essential service, helping pet owners navigate the emotional and practical aspects of pet loss. From creating personalized farewell rituals to offering emotional support and guidance, Angela is a beacon of hope and comfort for those facing the heartbreak of pet loss. In t ..read more

The topic of death and dying has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember, not from a macabre or fantastical perspective but from a profoundly humbled standpoint. I’ve always found myself captivated by the resilience of the human spirit, especially in the face of losing a loved one, life’s greatest challenge. Witnessing the strength of individuals during their final moments and the courage it takes to navigate that transition leaves me in awe. I consider it an honor to be afforded a glimpse into such a sacred space. My interest in death and dying didn’t arise out of nowhere—it’s be ..read more

Life in Ujjain was “happening”. Too many people visiting, festivals, gatherings, weddings and special occasions. I was breathing better in the October air since there’s much less humidity in Ujjain, but I was also unable to shower without oxygen. Climbing stairs and walking around the house were taxing. I couldn’t sleep one afternoon and kept thinking about all the people that died after transplants and wondered about my own survival rate. Maala, the Bangladeshi girl from one of my previous blogs had saturation levels as low as 35%. She had a stroke while she was enrolled in a medical college ..read more

It’s been a week since my husband passed and it still doesn’t feel real. I act as if he is just in the other room or on some trip. Any moment he’ll be back or I’ll get a text from him and everything will be just as it has been these past 3 years. Something I have discovered about myself is my “reaction to grief.” In writing I can be as vulnerable as I want to be because it’s a blank page or an audience that may or may not be there. I don’t have to worry about whether I sound too calm or too sad and I never risk making someone uncomfortable. Which is something I can’t do in person. When I’m aro ..read more

In the Southern United States, death and dying customs are not merely events but are deeply ingrained in the fabric of the region’s culture, history, and religious beliefs. Southern customs surrounding death reflect a unique blend of tradition, faith, and community spirit, shaping how individuals and communities navigate the journey from life to death. Southern Hospitality in Times of Loss Southern hospitality is renowned worldwide and extends even to times of loss. When death strikes a family in the South, neighbors, friends, and even strangers rally together to provide comfort, assistance, a ..read more

..read more

Allow me to introduce Jessica Waters, a Licensed Addictions Counselor with a specialization in advanced grief counseling for death and dying, as well as an Integrated Mental Health Practitioner NEDA Proficient End of Life Doula. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Jessica offers invaluable support and guidance to individuals navigating the intricate landscape of grief. Through compassionate counseling techniques and a deep understanding of loss’s complexities, she empowers clients to navigate their grief journey with resilience and healing. Join us as we delve into her in ..read more

Last week I wrote in response to Matthew Parris’ article in the Times where he argued that not only should euthanasia be legalised but that if this led to social pressure on the terminally ill and vulnerable that this would be a welcome thing. My article was published online by Evangelicals Now and I also included it on the blog here. There have in recent years been increasing attempts to legalise euthanasia including through the courts and currently a private members’ bill has been proposed in the Scottish Parliament. One might argue that those legal efforts are more likely to bring about cha ..read more