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“Abuelo”
Finding forgiveness through poetry and creative expressionI couldn’t be who I amtoday if it wasn’t for youbeing dead. It was timefor glitter, nail polish, and locs.Glitter in my nail polish.Glitter in my locs.You wouldn’t haveloved me loving myself;my joy renderedinconvenience.Sucked teeth keeping meyour grandson.My love for the menin our familyis complicated butstill love. In “Abuelo,” Afro-Caribbean poet, Gabriel Ramirez, mourns the…
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New Study Sheds Light on Brain’s Activity During Cardiac Arrest
The study examined memory and consciousness among a sample of in-hospital cardiac arrest survivorsA recently published study in the European medical journal Resuscitation is drawing attention around the world for its fascinating findings around what happens to the brain during cardiac arrest.
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“Last Kiss”
A teenage tragedy song from the 60s speaks to a hope for reunion“Last Kiss,” performed by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, is one of the most popular songs in the teenage tragedy genre that was wildly popular in the late 1950s and 1960s. DJs often referred to these tunes as “tear jerkers” or “death discs.” Cemented in listeners’ hearts by the untimely death of the 24-year-old…
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New Mushroom Coffins Turn Human Remains Into Nutrients for the Earth
Mycelium burial containers contribute to green burial optionsGreen burials and natural burial products have become more and more popular in recent years. In 2018, 54% of Americans reported that they were considering some kind of green burial, and 72% of cemeteries reported an increased demand for such services. Now, a Dutch startup company has joined the trend, offering a unique option: mushroom…
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The “Nights of Grief & Mystery” 2023 World Tour
A palliative care icon and musician lead viewers into the mysteries of life, love and deathOn Sunday, September 17, Vancouverites in British Columbia, Canada, packed the 355-seat York Theatre for an unusual event: “A Night of Grief and Mystery.” There, Stephen Jenkinson – a culture activist and author – joined musician Gregory Hoskins to explore the darker facets of life and death – including child mortality, climate change and unrealized…
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“Aporia”
This film uses time travel to teach us about the consequences of avoiding feelings“Aporia,” directed by Jared Moshe, presents a fresh take on the time travel genre. It also shows us how grief can affect people in different ways and illuminates the lengths some people will go to avoid feeling the pain of loss. In doing so, it serves as a warning for future generations: Do not try to…
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Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, NY is an Architectural Pioneer
A picturesque landscape that serves as both graveyard and gardenBefore municipal parks dotted the Hudson Valley, Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York, was designed to serve as both a place of solitude for the dead and serenity for the living. This National Historic Landmark was built in 1848 as a final resting place for local wealthy dignitaries among its sprawling hills and valleys. But…
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Couple Creates Their Own Natural Burial Vessels in North Carolina
Jack Webb wove his own natural, handmade burial vessel together with his partner, Nancy (and one for their dog, Pal)Conventional caskets made of wood, metal or fiberglass, but opportunities for natural or “green” burials have been growing in popularity in recent years.Jack Webb and his partner Nancy Allen, however, participated in a beautiful experience that takes that concept even further. The couple spent a blissful week together on a sustainable farm near Asheville, North…
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A Sustainable Funeral Director Offers “A Ferrari for Every Funeral” (Interview)
An Interview with Susanne Duijvestein explores the healing power of truly personalized funeralsIn 2017, after 11 years of working in the financial sector, Susanne Duijvestein decided to follow a new path. Susanne is now a funeral director, who specializes in sustainable, non-traditional funerals. Since starting her company, Bij Afscheid, she has helped families all over the Netherlands say goodbye to their loved ones with graceful dignity. Located…
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