Past 2020 Events
January 8, 2020 — Living 'til the End - Amy Samson Burke
Helping people live fully in their body throughout the entire arc of their lives. Amy is a Physical Therapist, Yoga Therapist, and Director of Programs at the non-profit, Mind Body Solutions. Her love of yoga, and the transformational change that comes with practice, has led her to develop mind-body programs for healthcare professionals in multiple fields, including end-of-life care. She has most recently developed the Living 'til the End Program, focused on bringing life-affirming mind-body practices to those living with serious and life threatening illness and to the people who care for them.
Mind Body Solutions is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people of all abilities live better in the body they have. Utilizing simple mind-body practices, we bring comfort and relief to people at every stage of life by awakening the connection between mind and body.
Helping people live fully in their body throughout the entire arc of their lives. Amy is a Physical Therapist, Yoga Therapist, and Director of Programs at the non-profit, Mind Body Solutions. Her love of yoga, and the transformational change that comes with practice, has led her to develop mind-body programs for healthcare professionals in multiple fields, including end-of-life care. She has most recently developed the Living 'til the End Program, focused on bringing life-affirming mind-body practices to those living with serious and life threatening illness and to the people who care for them.
Mind Body Solutions is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people of all abilities live better in the body they have. Utilizing simple mind-body practices, we bring comfort and relief to people at every stage of life by awakening the connection between mind and body.
February 12, 2020 --
Ask a Death Doula Panel Discussion -
"So you are interested in being an End of Life Doula. What next?"
The Minnesota Death Collaborative Ask a Death Doula night will feature a panel discussion to answer your questions. Come hear from doulas about training programs and what the work is like in reality. They will share what they wish they had known earlier in addition to other helpful tips.
Jane Whitlock will moderate the panel discussion. Jane is an end of life doula trained by Doulagivers, grief companion, and death educator/public speaker.
Ask a Death Doula Panel Discussion -
"So you are interested in being an End of Life Doula. What next?"
The Minnesota Death Collaborative Ask a Death Doula night will feature a panel discussion to answer your questions. Come hear from doulas about training programs and what the work is like in reality. They will share what they wish they had known earlier in addition to other helpful tips.
Jane Whitlock will moderate the panel discussion. Jane is an end of life doula trained by Doulagivers, grief companion, and death educator/public speaker.
Kat Shea is an end of life doula who is working with Grace Hospice to start a volunteer doula program. She was trained by both Doulagivers and INELDA and will give an overview of those trainings.
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Barbara Mvundura is an end of life doula as well as a birth doula. She is the cofounder of Serene Passings Doulas. She will share how she came to this work and what she has learned along the way.
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Wendy Brown, an end of life doula, will share what she learned about getting her doula business up and running.
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Nina Guertin is an end of life doula, interfaith spiritual director, and ritualist. Nina will share her mentoring work in conjunction with Shalom Hospice.
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March 11, 2020 at 7:00PM
The Role of a Funeral Director - Michael Sorrel
The role of a funeral director is one that involves practical organization, guidance, and expertise. Learn what funeral directors do from handling paperwork to final transport and everything in between. Hear stories from the field, ask your own questions, and come to understand what to look for in a funeral home and when to initiate the conversation.
Michael Sorrell, Funeral Director, joined Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation Services in 2009. A second career for him, the decision to go back to school was carefully crafted in his woodworking shop. Michael is known for his ability to pay attention to what a family really wants. To do that, he asks plenty of questions "so that they grow comfortable talking with me". He adds that he is very honored when families "open up and share about their loved ones".
The Role of a Funeral Director - Michael Sorrel
The role of a funeral director is one that involves practical organization, guidance, and expertise. Learn what funeral directors do from handling paperwork to final transport and everything in between. Hear stories from the field, ask your own questions, and come to understand what to look for in a funeral home and when to initiate the conversation.
Michael Sorrell, Funeral Director, joined Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation Services in 2009. A second career for him, the decision to go back to school was carefully crafted in his woodworking shop. Michael is known for his ability to pay attention to what a family really wants. To do that, he asks plenty of questions "so that they grow comfortable talking with me". He adds that he is very honored when families "open up and share about their loved ones".
April 8, 2020 — Community Online ZOOM Call 7:00PM FREE space is limited to 100 people)
Check in, Share Resources and Information, What you can do as a death educator during Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic.
Check in, Share Resources and Information, What you can do as a death educator during Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic.
May 13, 2020 - Last Responder Night ZOOM Call - 7:00PM (FREE, space is limited to 100 people)
While many are sheltering in place and removed from our work, there are many who are being called to serve at this time. Hear first-hand from some of our last responders and how they are adapting to the changes, challenges, and opportunities.
While many are sheltering in place and removed from our work, there are many who are being called to serve at this time. Hear first-hand from some of our last responders and how they are adapting to the changes, challenges, and opportunities.
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Marilaurice Hemlock and Anne Archbold | Final Passages are celebrants and green burial advocates who join with families and loved ones to create a ceremony that is meaningful and reflects the wishes, beliefs, personality, and values of the person who has died, as well as those who are grieving.
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Angela Woosley | Inspired Journeys Midwest’s first woman-owned and family-centered natural death care provider. Currently, we offer end-of-life doula services, home funeral education, and funeral celebrant services.
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Barbara Mvundura is an end of life doula as well as a birth doula. She is the co-founder of Serene Passings Doulas. She will share how she came to this work and what she has learned along the way.
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June 10, 2020 -- With Your Own Hands: A Ritual Blessing for the Dead- Ellen Huffschmidt - ZOOM Call 7:00PM
A grief ritual to hold us in this time. In preparation, please create a simple altar as a remembrance for a loved one who died in the past or recently, or someone who you wish to be in contact with and can’t because of COVID19 restrictions. The grief could also be for the death of pets, the state of nature, or anything else you are experiencing.
Please include a candle, bowl, pitcher or glass of water, and lavender or rosemary. If for any reason you are curious about this event but not sure if want to take part, you are always welcome to observe or use your imagination. These are both good ways to be present. I will be explaining and demonstrating everything we will be doing. Our time will include a breakout session with time to share and ask questions.
Ellen Hufschmidt, MA is a Chaplain, Grief Counselor, Death Educator, and Ritualist, has over twenty years of experience. She refined her holistic approach to grief and loss counseling during eleven years as a Hospice Bereavement Specialist and Chaplain at hospital systems in Minnesota. She shares her understanding of end-of-life issues, including family-led funerals, home vigils, and green burials, through consultations with family members, conference presentations, workshops in university and community settings, and training programs for chaplains, and end-of-life doulas. She also has a private practice in the Seward Neighborhood of South Minneapolis.
A grief ritual to hold us in this time. In preparation, please create a simple altar as a remembrance for a loved one who died in the past or recently, or someone who you wish to be in contact with and can’t because of COVID19 restrictions. The grief could also be for the death of pets, the state of nature, or anything else you are experiencing.
Please include a candle, bowl, pitcher or glass of water, and lavender or rosemary. If for any reason you are curious about this event but not sure if want to take part, you are always welcome to observe or use your imagination. These are both good ways to be present. I will be explaining and demonstrating everything we will be doing. Our time will include a breakout session with time to share and ask questions.
Ellen Hufschmidt, MA is a Chaplain, Grief Counselor, Death Educator, and Ritualist, has over twenty years of experience. She refined her holistic approach to grief and loss counseling during eleven years as a Hospice Bereavement Specialist and Chaplain at hospital systems in Minnesota. She shares her understanding of end-of-life issues, including family-led funerals, home vigils, and green burials, through consultations with family members, conference presentations, workshops in university and community settings, and training programs for chaplains, and end-of-life doulas. She also has a private practice in the Seward Neighborhood of South Minneapolis.
July 8, 2020 -- Shared Wisdom Night - ZOOM Call @ 7:00-8:30PM CST
Shared Wisdom Night: An opportunity to gather as a community to share wisdom gained from our lived experiences during this time of COVID-19 and racial unrest. What needs attention? How are you navigating this time? In what ways are you adjusting your work to meet this moment?
Shared Wisdom Night: An opportunity to gather as a community to share wisdom gained from our lived experiences during this time of COVID-19 and racial unrest. What needs attention? How are you navigating this time? In what ways are you adjusting your work to meet this moment?
August 12, 2020 — ZOOM call 7:00-8:30PM CST
End-of-Life with Dementia: Advanced Care Planning Caregiving During COVID-19
Valerie J. Richards, MBA, Alzheimer’s Educator & Family Coach
Valerie will speak on “End-of-Life with Dementia: ACP and Caregiving in the Time of Covid-19”. Join us for a discussion about late stage dementia and advance care planning, support for caregivers, and being an advocate for individuals in these challenging times. Learn how you can improve the experience from life to death for people with dementia – and their caregivers and families.
Valerie's Bio:
Valerie provides education for the community, training for professionals, and works privately coaching caregivers and families to facilitate quality of life through the challenging transitions of progressive dementia, aging, and end-of-life. She is a certified
Advance Care Planning Facilitator through Respecting Choices®, has extensive training in dementia care and senior issues, and recently completed an Elder Law & Chronic Care certification through Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Valerie has an MBA degree
from the University of Wisconsin and a BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She has been a volunteer speaker and group facilitator for Minnesota Council of Churches and the Alzheimer’s Association, contributed to ACT on
Alzheimer’s, and is an Honoring Choices Ambassador. Valerie is a big advocate of pet therapy having witnessed its benefits in visits with individuals and groups with her trained therapy dog, Linus. She and Linus are often seen at community events and they provide education and pet therapy visits to encourage positive moments and well-being. Valerie can be reached at 651-210-7866 or vjrichards@familieswithdementia.com. For more information, go to www.familieswithdementia.com
End-of-Life with Dementia: Advanced Care Planning Caregiving During COVID-19
Valerie J. Richards, MBA, Alzheimer’s Educator & Family Coach
Valerie will speak on “End-of-Life with Dementia: ACP and Caregiving in the Time of Covid-19”. Join us for a discussion about late stage dementia and advance care planning, support for caregivers, and being an advocate for individuals in these challenging times. Learn how you can improve the experience from life to death for people with dementia – and their caregivers and families.
Valerie's Bio:
Valerie provides education for the community, training for professionals, and works privately coaching caregivers and families to facilitate quality of life through the challenging transitions of progressive dementia, aging, and end-of-life. She is a certified
Advance Care Planning Facilitator through Respecting Choices®, has extensive training in dementia care and senior issues, and recently completed an Elder Law & Chronic Care certification through Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Valerie has an MBA degree
from the University of Wisconsin and a BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She has been a volunteer speaker and group facilitator for Minnesota Council of Churches and the Alzheimer’s Association, contributed to ACT on
Alzheimer’s, and is an Honoring Choices Ambassador. Valerie is a big advocate of pet therapy having witnessed its benefits in visits with individuals and groups with her trained therapy dog, Linus. She and Linus are often seen at community events and they provide education and pet therapy visits to encourage positive moments and well-being. Valerie can be reached at 651-210-7866 or vjrichards@familieswithdementia.com. For more information, go to www.familieswithdementia.com
September 9, 2020 — ZOOM Call 7-8:30 PM CST
Natural Burial: We Belong to the Earth - Marilaurice Hemlock and Anne Archbold
Natural Burial: We Belong to the Earth - Marilaurice Hemlock and Anne Archbold
Nature is not a place to visit. It is home. (Gary Snyder)
Natural, or “green” burial, offers a way for the environmentally conscious to ensure that after death care of their bodies can continue to conserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, protect worker health, and preserve habitat. As death care workers, we accompany individuals and families in making choices for how they will live at the end of their lives and plan ahead for what happens to their bodies after they die. Come learn about this option!!
We’ll ground ourselves in the values of natural burial, discuss the three kinds of natural burial and share updates about this growing national movement and local organizing efforts to establish a conservation burial area here in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Marilaurice Hemlock and Anne Archbold Bio:
Final Passages are celebrants and green burial advocates who join with families and loved ones to create a ceremony that is meaningful and reflects the wishes, beliefs, personality, and values of the person who has died, as well as those who are grieving.
Natural, or “green” burial, offers a way for the environmentally conscious to ensure that after death care of their bodies can continue to conserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, protect worker health, and preserve habitat. As death care workers, we accompany individuals and families in making choices for how they will live at the end of their lives and plan ahead for what happens to their bodies after they die. Come learn about this option!!
We’ll ground ourselves in the values of natural burial, discuss the three kinds of natural burial and share updates about this growing national movement and local organizing efforts to establish a conservation burial area here in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Marilaurice Hemlock and Anne Archbold Bio:
Final Passages are celebrants and green burial advocates who join with families and loved ones to create a ceremony that is meaningful and reflects the wishes, beliefs, personality, and values of the person who has died, as well as those who are grieving.
October 14, 2020 — ZOOM Call 7-8:30 PM CST
Ask a Death Doula - Connecting our Community
Summary: It’s been awhile since we last connected in person and miss networking and hearing about your work, training and ideas. We want to hear from all of you! Please join us for an evening of networking, community building and sharing resources. Everyone will have several minutes to share something about yourself, your work, an event or ask a question. This night is for anyone who is either working professionally in the death field or persuing work in it.
Ask a Death Doula - Connecting our Community
Summary: It’s been awhile since we last connected in person and miss networking and hearing about your work, training and ideas. We want to hear from all of you! Please join us for an evening of networking, community building and sharing resources. Everyone will have several minutes to share something about yourself, your work, an event or ask a question. This night is for anyone who is either working professionally in the death field or persuing work in it.
November 11, 2020 — ZOOM Call 7-8:30 PM CST
Ritual and Ceremony for Personal Healing, Soul Health, and Community Wellness - Anne Murphy and Nina Guertin
Summary:
Join Celebrants and Ritualists Nina Guertin and Anne Murphy as they offer examples of rituals that can be used when being at the bedside or graveside isn't possible. Discover personalized and meaningful ways to create and hold space for yourself and / or a loved one during this time of complex and compounded grief.
Bio for Anne
Bringing ceremony to life with a hands on approach to death. Anne is a celebrant, home vigil guide, and death educator. Anne is trained in the art of supporting individuals and families through the season of death and dying through heart-centered, compassionate and meaningful conversations, rituals and ceremonies. Anne is the co-founder of the Minnesota Death Collaborative, and serves on the Minnesota Threshold Network Leadership Committee and recently completed her term at the National Home Funeral Alliance Board. For more information: athousandhands.com
Ritual and Ceremony for Personal Healing, Soul Health, and Community Wellness - Anne Murphy and Nina Guertin
Summary:
Join Celebrants and Ritualists Nina Guertin and Anne Murphy as they offer examples of rituals that can be used when being at the bedside or graveside isn't possible. Discover personalized and meaningful ways to create and hold space for yourself and / or a loved one during this time of complex and compounded grief.
Bio for Anne
Bringing ceremony to life with a hands on approach to death. Anne is a celebrant, home vigil guide, and death educator. Anne is trained in the art of supporting individuals and families through the season of death and dying through heart-centered, compassionate and meaningful conversations, rituals and ceremonies. Anne is the co-founder of the Minnesota Death Collaborative, and serves on the Minnesota Threshold Network Leadership Committee and recently completed her term at the National Home Funeral Alliance Board. For more information: athousandhands.com
Bio for Nina
Nina Guertin is a trained End-of Life / Death Doula, a trained and certified Interfaith Spiritual Director, and an Angel Artist. Currently working toward Death Doula Certification through INELDA, Nina serves as a Vigil Volunteer for Heartland Hospice, and is also a Ritualist, specializing in Clearing Ceremonies, Commemorations, and Memorials.
Nina Guertin is a trained End-of Life / Death Doula, a trained and certified Interfaith Spiritual Director, and an Angel Artist. Currently working toward Death Doula Certification through INELDA, Nina serves as a Vigil Volunteer for Heartland Hospice, and is also a Ritualist, specializing in Clearing Ceremonies, Commemorations, and Memorials.
December 9, 2020 — ZOOM Call 7-8:30 PM CST
Grief during the Holidays - Kristen Paradise MS, LPC, NCC, CEOLD
Summary: Grief and loss adaptation, especially during traditional holidays, as well as special anniversaries, can impact the grieving person in a different manner. When we are presented with specific dates, that allow us to recall a past loved one, additional stress and anxiousness can occur in relation to loss. So how do we manage this adaptation, and talk about these emotional experiences with others? Self-compassion, as well as the compassion for others, are crucial to the process of grieving. Through this talk, I hope to give deeper understainding to others, of how to manage these anniversaries and holidays, and the emotional impact that they have on the individual.
Bio: Kristen N. Paradise, MS, LPC, CEOLD is a Licensed Professional Counselor, working as a Therapist Unicorn for Ellie Family Services, in Edina, MN. Kristen has been in the mental health field for the past 6 years where she has worked with differing forms of trauma, abuse, child, adolescent and family conflict, as well as specializing her practice for those whom present with gender identity concerns, grief, loss and bereavement. Kristen has also become a certified end-of-life doula, to assist in providing care dying persons and their caregivers. In the near future, Kristen will be compiling research on Transgender grief experiences and how these experiences differ from others, and how therapists and individuals can best support this community through the process of grief. For more information: https://elliefamilyservices.com/contact/edina-mn/
Grief during the Holidays - Kristen Paradise MS, LPC, NCC, CEOLD
Summary: Grief and loss adaptation, especially during traditional holidays, as well as special anniversaries, can impact the grieving person in a different manner. When we are presented with specific dates, that allow us to recall a past loved one, additional stress and anxiousness can occur in relation to loss. So how do we manage this adaptation, and talk about these emotional experiences with others? Self-compassion, as well as the compassion for others, are crucial to the process of grieving. Through this talk, I hope to give deeper understainding to others, of how to manage these anniversaries and holidays, and the emotional impact that they have on the individual.
Bio: Kristen N. Paradise, MS, LPC, CEOLD is a Licensed Professional Counselor, working as a Therapist Unicorn for Ellie Family Services, in Edina, MN. Kristen has been in the mental health field for the past 6 years where she has worked with differing forms of trauma, abuse, child, adolescent and family conflict, as well as specializing her practice for those whom present with gender identity concerns, grief, loss and bereavement. Kristen has also become a certified end-of-life doula, to assist in providing care dying persons and their caregivers. In the near future, Kristen will be compiling research on Transgender grief experiences and how these experiences differ from others, and how therapists and individuals can best support this community through the process of grief. For more information: https://elliefamilyservices.com/contact/edina-mn/
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