Tag: end of life

  • Blue Christmas Tree

    Blue Christmas Tree

    Recently I attended a concert fundraiser. In the foyer were many items on silent auction. Among the items was something I had never seen before. This Blue Christmas Tree was not blue. It was a white-flocked tree with deep blue lights. Hanging on the white branches were white ornaments, almost pearly in appearance, like shells,…

  • What is Conversation?

    Do we know how to have the important conversations that we should have while we’re still here? We have choices at our end of life and we should make plans now. It starts with a conversation. We can speak with our healthcare providers, family, and friends. Conversation is a dialogue or a group conversation with…

  • The Good Death, Part One

    I have spoken before about how I define the Good Death, which for me is having had the important conversations with my family and close friends, working to resolve any outlying conflicts, or forgiving those I need to forgive/ask for forgiveness from folks I have hurt. It also means that I have shared my wishes…

  • THANATOLOGY – PASTORAL

    Regarding Thanatology, we’ve covered several topics already, and I feel this one is a little more important as to how pastoral care is so beneficial to the dying person but also the family members of the dying person and, really, anyone who is bereaved or in grief. Someone who has expertise in pastoral thanatology really…

  • Thanatology – Musical

    Thanatology – Musical

    The practice of music-thanatology was founded by Therese Schroeder-Sheker in 1992. She was Academic Dean of The Music-Thanatology School at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula Montana. She used the harp and her voice in what is described as a “prescriptive manner”. This approach of helping the dying “let go” or be at peace, allows the…

  • Thanatolo–what??

    Thanatolo–what??

    Over the next few weeks we will learn about thanatology, or the study and science of dying and death. Until I began researching career options to work with dying people, I had not heard of this term. Webster defines thanatology as the description or study of the phenomena of death and of psychological mechanisms for…

  • My First Mistake

    I hope you enjoy the transcript of my podcast episode. It feels strange sharing these stories and then seeing them in type. There is so much more I could share about my friend and her experience, and the learning I have undergone through the years. But, that’s why I writing this message today and for…