-
“The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life”
An author and palliative care physician explains what it means to provide the best care possible as a doctor to the dying.The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life is author and doctor Ira Byock, M.D.’s latest opus on end-of-life care. The palliative care physician’s reflections on being a “doctor to the dying” are an expression of hope, filled with real-life stories of love and strength in the face…
/
-
Earth Laid Upon a Corpse
An ancient Scottish burial rite, still practiced to this day, symbolizes the connection and divide between the soul and the material bodyIn the Scottish Highlands, a tradition of burying the deceased with a wooden plate, placed on the chest, piled with a mound of mixed salt and earth, has endured throughout the centuries, passed down from generation to generation, and remains in practice today. The salt to represent the preservation and immortality of the soul, and…
/
-
New York Times Article Says “Values Conflict at the End of Life”
Paula Span wonders: how do we make decisions for dying relatives who are cognitively impaired?Family members play a crucial part in making sure that mom, dad, or whoever receiving end-of-life attention is having the most painless experience possible. Perhaps most importantly, we want the experience to be unique to their wishes. But what happens when a dying family member is cognitively impaired – what if they have dementia, for…
/
-
The Beatles, “Across The Universe” Speaks of The Stages of Grief
The ever riding need that nothing’s going to change my worldJohn Lennon, of the Beatles, considers the lyrics to his song “Across the Universe” to be his best and most poetic ever. Written simply as a knee-jerk reaction to a difficult day, John turned his day around in a most positive way through his words, “Nothing’s gonna change my world”. These same words apply…
/
-
What is the National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children? (Interview)
After the murder of her brother David, Misty sought help over the grief and murderToday SevenPonds speaks with Misty Foster, Chapter Leader of the Sacramento Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children (POMC). The National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc is a nation-wide network of over 100 thousand volunteers who have suffered the murder of a loved one. POMC offers its members on-going support, prevention, awareness, advocacy and education.…
/
-
The Art of Death in the Byzantine Empire
How the Byzantine Empire was met with an incredible juxtaposition of splendor and deathTime has turned the Byzantine Empire legendary from a grand successor into a struggling Roman Empire. Even if you can’t point to its capital on a map, odds are you’ve heard of the famed city of Constantinople. Known as “The Rome That Never Fell,” the Byzantine Empire encapsulated a kind of unparalleled religious and aesthetic…
/
-
What Are the Top Five Regrets of the Dying?
Palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware shares the top five regrets of those nearing the end-of-lifeNot long ago, SevenPonds highlighted Jane McGonigal’s TED Talk on the potential that certain video games have to improve our health. As a video game designer, McGonigal wanted to create a positive activity for those who were ill or nearing the end-of-life. In order to accomplish this, McGonigal investigated specific anxieties and fears of those…
/
-
“Remember”
Joy Harjo’s poem shows how looking back can guide us through the futureJoy Harjo is unique in that, not only is she an excellent writer, but she is a musician and a performer as well. That’s probably why her poems, including “Remember,” are so lyrical and seem to trip off the tongue. In addition to its musical quality, “Remember” also delivers a strong message: that people must…
/
-
An Urn for Cremation Burials in Water
Agnes Hegedus designs an urn around an ancient — yet eco-friendly — traditionWe at SevenPonds have been bookmarking many of Designboom’s “Design for Death” inventions. The competition featured 2,050 designers from nearly 100 countries, each with unique designs for coffins and cremation vessels. Hungary’s Agnes Hegedus was a standout in the “Wrapping of Mortality” category, which called for an integration of eco-friendly elements and the designer’s creation.…
/
Want an Easier Way to Plan a Memorial Event? Get our FREE guide
“7 Ways to Create an Amazing Celebration of Life”
