As a Death Literacy Specialist and End-of-Life Doula, end-of-life work is an extremely sacred place.
There are so many resources available to us whether it be on preparing, journaling, advance care directives, care, legacy projects, celebration/memorial/funeral planning and much more.
I cannot list all of the resources here, but in our individual conversations, I can have resources available to you for your area (where you live) and your individual needs.
Often we look for, or ask for, support from additional tools. These may be books, apps, websites, or articles. Death and Dying is subject matter that we can never ask one who has fully experienced it. I think that is why it is so elusive and possibly difficult for some to talk about. I have included some of what I call beautiful resources here. Beautiful because, the people who have written or developed these articles, books and programs have created them with grace and compassion. They truly embody the work that we do. While I find these helpful to me, “I repeat this disclaimer, this is your journey, and it is just that, your personal journey and you may find that these are not the tools for you.”
Gift Certificates
Holiday shopping? special occasion? just because… but you can’t quite come up with something unique or creative? A gift certificate is a wonderful option. Laura says, Personally, yes, send me one, I love to have the flexibility to buy something for myself and not feel guilty about it!!
So, “The Journey Before Us” offers a solution for your gift giving needs, a gift certificate in any denomination and it is valid for any of the services offered, whether one-on-one coaching, workshops, consultation or planning. You can’t go wrong.
Email us at [email protected] or call 802-734-0879
Book
The Best Care Possible by Ira Byock, MD
This book is truly a gift to all of humanity. Dr. Ira Byock describes what he sees and what he experiences with his patients. He shows us that physician's do wish to transform care through the end of life. There are people who truly make a difference in both patient's lives, but also in medical students and the medical community. *************** A quick story here: My father was diagnosed in Dec 2000 with lung cancer was treated and in October 2001 he died. As I was reading this book, the description that Ira Byock gave of his colleague, Herb Mauer was clear, precise and brought me up out of my chair to research Herb's own death of lung cancer ... was it? could it be??? yes, it was, my father's Dr. Herb Mauer, one and the same. A wink and a nod that I received telling me once again, that yes, I am on the path I am supposed to be on!
Book
Finding Meaning, The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler
Purchase at Barnes and Noble or at your local library
David Kessler is the world's foremost expert on grief. He worked with, studied under and co-authored with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a pioneer in near-death studies. David shares his own heart stories and experiences and has a beautiful way of letting us all know that grief is grief. We grieve because we loved. There is no right way to do it, no time limit and we can move through it as it happens, sometimes faster other times slower, and often when we least expect it. This book is a poignant reminder that connection is important, and that there is more to the five stages of grief as outlined by Kessler and Kubler-Ross, there is this sixth stage, finding meaning.
Book
Building a Legacy of Love, Thriving in the Sandwich Generation by Christy Byrne Yates, M.S.
Click here for Barnes and Noble, or get at your local library
The author brilliantly shares her own personal experiences, and lays out a plan on how to navigate, and thrive in a world where we are raising our children and starting to care for our parents. How to thrive as part of the Sandwich Generation is a must read for all who are about to experience this wonderful and potentially challenging time.
Book
Being Mortal, Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
Click here for Barnes and Noble or get at your local library
Atul Gawande shares his personal experiences, research and everyday explanations about the medical field, patients and their families as they navigate their mortality, end-of-life options, and care. Atul is a wonderful writer, doctor, researcher and deeply cares for his patients and is an advocate for better care for all. He shares what matters most!
TED Talk
BJ Miller “What Really Matters At the End of Life?”
TED Talk with BJ Miller, At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it's simply comfort, respect, love. BJ Miller is a hospice and palliative medicine physician who thinks deeply about how to create a dignified, graceful end of life for his patients. Take the time to savor this moving talk, which asks big questions about how we think on death and honor life.
Ted Talk
TED Talk with Alua Arthur, "Why thinking about death helps you live a better life." Alua's humor shines through!
Website, App
Calm App is a wonderful support for those of us needing just that, a little Calm in our life, whether morning, noon or night, there is something for everyone. You can use it as an app on your phone, or on a tablet or computer.
Calm is an app and a website for Stress & Anxiety, Sleep, Meditation and it's for all ages!
Book
The story of the life of Freddie the leaf. This simple and heartwarming story shares the changing of the seasons, and how the balance between life and death is so precious.
Barnes and Noble Bookstore Link below to purchase, or request at your local library.
Article
How End-of-Life Doulas Help Ease the Final Transition, a Scientific American article by Virginia Chang, Ph.D. and Faculty at UVM’s End-of-Life Certificate Program
Article by Virginia Chang
Podcast
Podcast about Map of Memory Lane, a children’s book by Francesca Lynn Arnoldy
WhenYouDie.org Podcast
book, workshop
An Essential Workbook to Help You Reflect Back, Plan Ahead and Find Peace on Your Journey by Francesca Lynn Arnoldy.
Laura has been trained to coordinate 6 week workshop entitled Living Fully and Dying Prepared using Francesca's workbook.
