Natural Deathcare and Advocacy

What is natural deathcare?

Natural Deathcare:

• Focuses on bringing death care back into the hands of our families and communities

• Empowers families and communities to care for our loved ones at their time of death

• Infuses the important threshold that is death in ways that are meaningful, earth-honoring, and community-based

• Aims to increase conversations about death and dying to decrease death phobia and increase death literacy

• Encourages consideration about choices around deathcare and its impact on the environment

When my dad told me he wanted to have a home wake when he died, I wasn’t sure how to go about the process. In my training as a birth doula, I learned the difficulties and challenges that surrounded having home births. Because home births or home wakes are not the “norm” in this country, it is often much harder to get folks “on board” with this desire to reclaim these spaces. This was my experience with planning and leading my dad’s deathcare and home wake. Despite the many hurdles and challenges it took to fulfill my dad’s final wishes, it was the most beautiful way to honor him. I learned so much along the way and hope to help families navigate this option if they wish. I can help with insights about:

• Legal, necessary paperwork and people to get involved

• Care of the body of your deceased loved one at home

• Services, rituals, celebrations

• Considerations about cremation, green burial, etc.

• Logistics planning for home funerals and/or wake