The Grief That Arrives With our Easter Guests
Our friends had been out of the country when my daughter, Jess, died. They couldn’t make the funeral. Easter was […]
Letters
These letters are written for people who find themselves responsible for helping others through loss. They address the cultural, ethical, and human questions that arise at the end of life and its aftermath. Although many of these letters were originally composed with the context of funeral service in mind, they are shared publicly because the questions they explore belong to all of us, and because how we speak with each other about loss shapes not only individual families, but the culture we live inside.
The Scripted Princess
The first time I went to Disney World, I was skeptical before I got through the gate. We had spent
The Script That Helped the Person Who Wrote It
Two weeks ago I wrote about the meeting where we planned Jess’s funeral. __click here__ to read it Last week
The Leader in the Room
Last week’s letter was more personal than anything I have sent before. A number of you wrote back, and I
Fearless
My daughter, Jess Callaghan died on January 22, 2015. She was twenty years old. I have spent over two decades
The Second Phone Call
My mother spent her final week at home, surrounded by family. I was there for most of it. Then I
They told me to call back when she died
A friend of mine recently told me about the calls he made when his aunt entered hospice. He knew the
The final season used to be normal
In 1970, my grandfather was dying. In the months leading up to his death, his bed was moved to the
Between pre-need planning and at-need emergency care, there’s a third season
Most people understand that death involves planning. Some plan far in advance. Others make arrangements after a loved one has
Families have already decided
Most people facing the death of someone they love arrive at the funeral home having already decided: funeral or direct