EOLPodcast

Ep. 475 Tree vs. Tombstone: Better Place Forests with Gillian Nye

Learn about a beautiful, sustainable option for disposition of ashes after death at the base of a memorial tree.

My guest Gillian Nye has served at the Forest Memorials Manager at Better Place Forests for the past 6 years. She helps families create meaningful, nature-centered ceremonies that honor their loved ones in a unique and sustainable manner. She will tell us how and why to choose a special tree as a memorial for ourselves or those we love. If you love trees (as I do) and want to learn about sustainable options for disposition after death don’t miss this conversation! Learn more at the website:

betterplaceforests.com

YouTube Channel

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • The story behind how Better Place Forests got started
  • Where the forests are located
  • The process for choosing a memorial tree (online or in-forest)
  • Reforestation of other forests through partnership with Arbor Day Foundation
  • How families can return over time to visit the tree they’ve chosen
  • Examples of nature-centered ceremonies that have taken place in the forests
  • How families benefit from choosing a tree as a memorial (rather than a tombstone)
  • The “spreading grove” as a less-expensive forest option for disposition

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. Also thank you to James M. Schultz for buying me a cup of coffee and to Sue Julian who joined the $10 for 10 Years Campaign! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 467 A New Twist on Home Funerals: Family Involved Deathcare with Trina Wacasey and David Perfito

Learn how a home funeral guide and an aqua cremation provider collaborate to help families care for a loved one’s body after death.

My two guests this week are collaborators who work together to ensure that their clients can access family involved deathcare: Trina Wacasey is an end-of-life doula, home funeral guide and the founder of Creating Honoring Spaces; and David Perfito is the founder of the first alkaline hydrolysis facility in the state of California, White Rose Aqua Cremation. They share how they came to work together in collaboration and how their model can be an inspiration for others to address gaps in deathcare in their communities. Learn more at their websites:

creatinghonoringspaces.com

whiteroseaquacremation.com

YouTube Channel

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • What a home funeral is
  • Why a family might consider a home funeral (and why it may not be right for everyone)
  • Why families need a guide to help them navigate the funeral process
  • Trina’s “mini mobile suite” for after-death care
  • How aqua cremation works
  • Advantages of aqua cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) over fire cremation
  • How White Rose Aqua Cremation can serve people wherever they live
  • How Trina and David work together even they are located 7 hours apart
  • How home funerals and eco-friendly disposition go hand-in-hand
  • Why this type of collaboration is novel and necessary for forming compassionate communities

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my latest supporters Marie Sutton and Aviva Engel. Also many thanks to Karessa Torgerson for making a donation through Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 336 Better Place Forests: Reimagining Cemeteries with Sandy Gibson

Learn why forests are the cemeteries of the future.

My guest Sandy Gibson is the co-founder and CEO of Better Place Forests, a sustainable alternative to traditional cemeteries for families who choose cremation. Sandy founded several companies and worked in finance and software before founding Better Place Forests. He shares how experiencing significant loss early in his life helped inspire him decide to reimagine cemeteries and make them good for the entire world. You’ll learn how you can find “your tree” and plan ahead for a sustainable, earth-friendly disposition after you die. Learn more about Better Place Forests at the website:

www.betterplaceforests.com

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • How the idea for Better Place Forests came about.
  • Why it is important to reimagine cemeteries right now.
  • How Better Place Forests are intended to be places for families and communities to come together.
  • How the service works for those “at need” or those choosing a tree in advance.
  • What a “spreading ceremony” consists of
  • The importance of rituals at the end of life
  • Where Better Place Forests are located and may expand in the future
  • How Better Place is planting trees to offset the carbon footprint of fire cremation
  • Advice for people experiencing loss and grief at this time

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my new patrons Louise O’Brien and Daraleen C. Shales! Your contributions make all the difference.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 190 Reimagining Death: Wisdom for After-Death Care with Lucinda Herring

Learn about home funerals and green burials and how to plan ahead for a personalized, Earth-friendly end of life.

PodcastHerring

My guest Lucinda Herring has worked at the cutting edge of the green funeral movement for more than twenty years. Today she is one of the leading voices for more healing and ecological ways to care for our dead. She will discuss how we can prepare in advance for after-death care, including her new book “Reimagining Death: Stories and Practical Wisdom for Home Funerals and Green Burials.”

Learn more at Lucinda’s website:

www.lucindaherring.com

reimaginingdeath

Get the book here.

Listen here:

 

This interview includes:

  • What are “advance after-death care directives”
  • Three stages of dying and death
  • Why it is important to plan ahead for after death
  • Current options for green burial
  • Laws and regulations governing green burial
  • Benefits of home funerals for families and the dying
  • Obstacles to home funerals and green burials

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes! Thanks again to all supporters on Patreon.com/eolu, especially my new Patrons, Sara Tinnesz and Rachel Giger.