Ministry for Dying and Grieving
Have you been told you have a terminal or life-limiting illness?
—-
Do you wonder what it would mean to live well
in the final chapter of your life?
—-
Are you planning a farewell ritual for someone you love?
—-
Do you need support and encouragement as you navigate
the white-waters of grief?
—-
When you face a profound loss or death, it can feel like you’ve been dropped into a raging river filled with sudden and often scary sharp turns and dangerous obstacles. Life can seem surreal and your emotions may feel out of control and overwhelming. “Normal” life is a thing of the past, and hope and peace seem unreachable.
One of the most challenging and painful parts of this new life is loneliness. Friends and family often don’t know what to say, and so they stay away. People who care unintentionally say things that feel more like a heart-piercing stab. Still, others try to fix you or change your perspective to more positive things.
As an end-of-life and grief coach, my passion is to journey with those who are dying and those who are grieving. I will
- join you wherever you are, providing a safe space to share without self-censorship
- listen compassionately and deeply
- guide you through gentle yet powerful questioning to discover what matters most to you
- offer support and encouragement as you find the resources you need
- normalize the processes of dying and grieving
- never be judged or criticized
- honor and celebrate your unique experience and journey
It is truly an honor to walk with those who are navigating loss and grief. I genuinely believe that you can “Live Your Dying (and Grieving!).”
Our Support Includes
-
Honoring Your Loved One with a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life
-
Tossed Pebbles – Daily Email Bereavement Support When someone you love dies, grieving that loss can take a long time. As in any emotional journey, there are rough spots to be weathered and moments when you catch a glimpse of peace. These daily emails provide encouragement and gentle reminders of the recovery process. Sign up here.
-
FAQs
End-Of-Life Coaching
“How will you live your dying?”
How will you “Live Your Dying?” Do you have a bucket list? Who do you want to visit with again? What relationships need mending? Where do you want to live? How do you want to be cared for? What do you want your family to know? How will you tell them? When the end draws near, how do you want your pain managed?
These are only some of the questions many people find themselves suddenly asking. Often there isn’t a comfortable place to turn for help finding your answers. You may wish to consider an End-of-Life Coach.
Your coach will help you live your ending as fully and meaningfully as possible. He or she provides a safe place for you to
- explore possibilities and begin to answer the “tough questions.”
- help you talk to your family and friends about your needs and wishes
- tell your story
- learn about normal grieving – even when it feels like that roller-coaster
- cry, laugh, be angry
- express your doubts and fears
- freely share with no judgment or self-censorship
The role of an End of a Life coach is one of honor and privilege. If you have questions or would like to talk to Lee, click here.
Honoring Your Loved One
Funerals - Memorials - Celebrations of Life
You are suddenly faced with the need to plan an End of Life Ceremony for someone you love. Family and friends will gather for a ritual that celebrates your loved one’s life yet does not deny the often overwhelming sadness of the occasion. As part of my gold-standard of excellence, I will guide you as together we create a meaningful and personal service.
Even in the face of profound loss, it is possible to step into life again. This service is the first step to healing.
“We understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.” ~Madame de Stael
Whether the deceased honoree is religious, secular, interfaith, or simply unaffiliated with a particular religion, I specialize in creating and officiating personalized, dignified, and memorable Celebrations of Life.
“I have always found Lee to be professional, compassionate, and attentive to the grieving family’s needs and wishes. In each case, she has taken the time to get to know them and their loved ones. Because of this, no two services of hers are exactly the same. Each service is personalized to fit exactly what each family wants. What I have come to know about Lee is that she is real. Her compassion for the grieving families she has dealt with for my family was truly genuine. Lee was indeed called to serve people in their times of need. I would tell you that all of the families she has helped through my funeral home have been beyond just satisfied. They all spoke of what a wonderful funeral service Lee did for their loved one, and she expressed caring in all of their interactions with her. The honest words of the families she has served speak very loudly.” ~Phil Short, Director Short and Sons Funeral Home
Grief Support
Grief Support Groups - Grief Coaching - Daily Support Emails
The death of a loved one can leave you feeling overwhelmed. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend to death, you may discover that others don’t understand the deep hurt you feel. Grief may be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have questions about things you’ve never faced before. It can be tremendously helpful to join a group where you will hear how others are coping, learn about grief symptoms, and understand that what you are experiencing is normal. Groups are a safe place to process your grief, learn coping techniques, and make connections with others on a similar grief journey.
Virtual Drop-In Groups are available during the day or evening, weekday or weekend. We hope to add in-person gatherings soon. or on-line, we have a group for you. Groups meet regularly throughout the year. Come to one or many.
Virtual Short-Term Groups usually address one topic at a time and are not drop-in groups. We ask you to commit to attending each session. Registration is required.
Groups are for adults of any age. We do not currently offer teen and child support groups.
Click here for a schedule.
“Being able to soar while keeping your feet on the ground can be a challenge. Life is a gift, and embracing it to the fullest in all of its pain, sorrow, joy, struggle, and accomplishment is a little easier when someone walks the journey with you. Lee encourages you to be fully yourself and celebrate all of who you are! She guides you one step at a time toward the beauty and possibilities within you.” ~Coaching Client
Grief Coaching is an innovative approach to grief support, tailored to fit the griever’s unique and individual needs. Whether your loss is recent or many years ago, you don’t have to journey alone. Your grief coach will work with you to find the tools, perspectives, and strategies you need to navigate the process of healing. Coaching happens in a safe, confidential, and judgment-free setting. You may come with a very clear question, challenge, or topic, or you may not know quite what you need today. Either way, your coach will help you navigate the white waters of grief.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- New loss and all the changes that go with it
- Discovering how “normal” will change and how you can be in charge of what that will be
- Everyday stressors of work, routine, childcare, managing a household, and how grief and loss impact it all
- Making decisions – every day and the more significant life decisions that you may be facing
- Understanding the sometimes intense reactions of guilt, anger, and regret and discovering tools to manage
- Using Your Inner Guide based on the book Coach Yourself Through Grief by Don Eisenhauer, MCC
Hope and healing are within reach. Together we will find the strength and courage within to grieve and to grow.
From a Coaching Client: “I have had so many horrible losses in my life, and I “handled” all of them with the various tools I had available to me. I was existing and getting through my life, but it wasn’t until I met my coach that I actually ‘healed’ enough to start living again. My coach had the unique ability to help me maneuver through the deep complications of grief while somehow also empowering me to live again truly. It is truly a blessing to have found her; I don’t think I realized how much I needed her, until I did.”
If you have questions or would like to experience a brief coaching session, click here and let Lee know how best to contact you.
