WYD Team 
“Living Fully, Dying Consciously” steps into the heart of the human condition to explore why our entire life is a psychological and spiritual preparation for death. Life is not easy, but when we accept that we are just passing through this physical existence it puts things into perspective. Confronting our fear of death and accepting … Read more
In 2000, end-of-life therapist and founder of the Shared Crossing Project William Peters was volunteering at the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco when he had an extraordinary experience as he was reading aloud to a patient: he suddenly felt himself floating in midair, completely out of his body. The patient, who was also aloft, … Read more
For Amy Soloway (Solowij), being in the kitchen with her mother, Eveleen is a cherished memory. It was filled with laughter, lessons and of course, good food. Her mother embraced the Ukrainian culture of her husband, passing on recipes and traditions and memories. Making food and my mother has always been synonymous for me. … Read more
Alan and Joanne marry in midlife and live a happily-ever-after existence until, at sixty-nine, Alan is diagnosed with a rare, fatal, neurodegenerative illness. As he becomes increasingly disabled and dependent on others, and decreasingly able to find joy in life, he decides he wants to end his suffering using Colorado’s Medical Aid in Dying … Read more
Sheree Fitch has turned grief into poetry in this book from a reassurance her own mother had given her; her own mother who had also lost a son. Fitch captures her own struggles as she emerges from shock, deep sorrow, unexpected rage, and boundless love. She discovers that she “dwells in a thin place now,” … Read more
Many animal lovers will leave provisions to care for their furry friends. And for some, that’s more than your average kibble. Meet Gunther. Well, actually, Gunther the 6th. He may seem like an ordinary dog, but this German Shepherd is worth $500 million! In 1992, Karlotta Leibenstein who was a German Countess, left her … Read more
Barbara Karnes, RN, is an internationally respected speaker, educator, author, and considered a leader on matters of end-of-life. While present at the bedside of hundreds of people during the dying process, hospice pioneer Karnes noticed that each death was following a near-identical scenario. Each person was going through the stages of death in almost … Read more
In the Jewish faith, the community has their own customs in regard to funeral practices. Some customs are dictated by tradition while others are the result of local laws and regulations. Rabbi Joe Black has laid out the steps for family and mourners and what to expect at a Jewish Funeral Read the full article … Read more
Death is scary—but planning your funeral doesn’t have to be! It’s Your Funeral! will help demystify death, decrease your anxiety, and put the fun back in funeral, whether that means a drunken bacchanal or a somber reflection on just how great you were. Every stage of the legacy planning process is considered, from a burial outfit to a funeral … Read more
In the presence of tragedy, we often say “I can’t imagine”. In these days of the ‘grief pandemic’, Rebecca Soffer thinks it’s time that we do imagine. “The truth is, it’s not that we can’t imagine the experience. It’s that we don’t want to. In saying that the deep loss someone is feeling is too … Read more
