Live and Die Wise

09/01/2024

Have you heard about a Pet Trust? The published an article in their online magazine on how to create a trust for your pet. Have you considered what will happen to your pet if you die or are incapacitated?

'A pet trust provides two main benefits: it removes or lessens the financial burden a pet may place on a designated caretaker, and it allows the settlor to dictate, in enforceable and detailed terms, the type of care her pet will receive after she dies or otherwise becomes unable to care for her pet.'

For aging pet owners, the fates of their pets after they can no longer care for them can constitute a tremendous source of anxiety. A pet trust is a tool that can help alleviate this anxiety. Learn more here.

08/25/2024

'...But now, instead of wondering how my disease/s and decompensation will progress, worrying about the logistics of needing a greater level of care, I'm thinking more about living for the first time in…well, at least four years, maybe more. I'm seeking joy, love and kindness and looking for everyday opportunities to pour those things back out into the world around me.

Some days, I'm successful and other days, I'm not. I'm not a gracious sick person. But in all of this, I'm grateful that in planning for my death, I've finally learned what's important to me…finally learned how to live.'

Wise words from writer, S.C.Beckner, in Next Avenue magazine online, about her experience in planning for her End of Life at 52, after learning that she 'may have ALS'.

As my health is markedly declining, I've made a list: places to see/go, things to do, things to no longer do

08/15/2024

I'm beyond excited to announce that my colleague, Johanna Munson, a Peace of Mind Guide, has written a book that promises to be an inspiring read!

Check it out on Amazon :)



Johanna Munson Peace of Mind Guide

07/10/2024

As difficult as it is to lose someone, may you find solace in those special moments when your person visits you in a memory or dream. As time goes on, there will always be little memories reminding you of them, and oh-how special that is.

06/03/2024

If you are in or around Sidney, B.C. on Thursday, The Canadian Federation of University Women are holding a one-day event especially for seniors, or their families members, with a great line up of speakers, for example, ; writer Lorna Crozier on Aging Out Loud, Dr. Lynneth Stuart-Hill on the Art and Science of Healthy Aging, and Dr. Stephanie Green will speak on M.A.I.D.

It's important that we learn, at any age, about how to age well and the services that are available - or that could be available if we were to plan ahead and advocate for living well as we age.

I hope to see you on Thursday June 6 from 10 am - 5 pm at the Mary Winspear Centre. It's FREE to attend!

Victoria Buzz This Is Sidney Sidney B.C. Community Group seniors101.ca End of Life Doula Association of Canada Live and Die Wise Dying With Dignity Canada CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) PUBLIC Group

01/13/2024

For anyone who works with people who've suffered perinatal loss. This is SUCH a great offering, super intimate, and designed for doulas and medical professionals.

Led by Christa Ovenell of Death's Apprentice and Michelle Tyliakos of My Powerful Birth, you'll learn how to support families in a sensitive and meaningful way.

See:
https://www.mypowerfulbirth.com/store/p12/Perinatal-Loss-Training.html #/

Learn how to support families through stillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal death and termination. Class is held in Pitt Meadows at Bellies Community Space. Great for people who want to learn more about pregnancy loss, resources, communication and ways to help in a time of crisis and grieving. Availble....

12/29/2023

Join in my Paperwork Party starting January 10th for 4 weeks:

5:00 pm - 6:15 pm PST, via Zoom.
4 x 1 1/4 hour sessions
Maximum 4 people
$250/person

The image below is a statistic about just one aspect of end of life planning that most people don't consider - pre planning your funeral or celebration of life. Some people say, 'it doesn't matter, I'll be dead!", but what we don't realize is the toll that your death will have on your work colleagues, your partner, friends, family members and even your wider community. The ability to think clearly and plan while in a state of shock and grief affects our mental health, and can make it a mental and financial burden on others, if you haven't planned ahead.

Over the 4 x 1 1/4 hour weekly meetings, we will cover:

- Choosing a Health Representative

- Completing an Advance Directive

- Creating a Dementia Directive

- Where and how you would like to be cared for after you die

- Planning your digital life documentation (i.e., passwords)

- How to share your wishes and instructions with your loved ones

DM me for more information, or register below.

Four Wednesdays via Zoom- January 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st 5:00 pm to 6:15 pm Your Zoom link will be shared after registration and checkout. I look forward to meeting you! Please reach out if you have any questions prior to January 10th. [email protected] Thank you, Maria Verdicchio

12/29/2023

A wind phone created by Amanda Farrell-Low and Beth Threlfall has been installed at Royal Oak Burial Park! Anyone can visit and use the phone to hold one-way conversations with deceased loved ones. The wind phone is an unconnected telephone booth that was first installed in Ōtsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

Initially created by Japanese garden designer Itaru Sasaki in 2010 to help him cope with his cousin's death, it was opened to the public in the following year after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami killed over 15,000 people in the Tōhoku region in Japan. It has since received over 30,000 visitors, and the idea has spread around the World.

Now we have one in Victoria, British Columbia. Fore info on wind phones: https://www.mywindphone.com/the-original-phone-of-the-wind-1-1

Amanda Farrell-Low organized the new wind phone that allows people to talk with lost loved ones at Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich.

11/27/2023

Everyone's talking about it. Finally! The fact that People magazine is publishing a story about an actor who is talking about death, and is the face of a coffin/casket manufacturer, is very encouraging. Let's normalize talking about death, as much as we talk about birth!

Thank you, David Dastmalchian , Titan Casket and People magazine

Oppenhiemer and Su***de Squad actor David Dastmalchian opens up about why he wanted to work as the celebrity face of Titan Casket — and why he wants to change the narrative when it comes to death, funerals and funeral planning

11/18/2023

Have a listen :)

Thank you to Molly of Wild Hearts Rise Up for her thoughtful conversation with me.

11/16/2023

If you're looking for another option than a traditional funeral home, reach out to KORU Cremation Burial Ceremony, in South Vancouver. They can help you find a way to honor your loved ones, after death, in a way that's meaningful for you.