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From Service Given to Service Returned, Student Pallbearers Ensure Dignity for Homeless Veterans
Through their ministry, Catholic high school students put their values into action by carrying out dignified funerals for homeless veteransStudents at several Catholic high schools throughout the United States put their school’s stated values in action through pallbearer ministries. The Saint Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry began in 2002 at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland. The most prominent ministry in recent news, however, is the ministry under the same name at the University…
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Grieving the Loss of Health
Grappling with the complex emotions associated with terminal illnessMost of us think of grief in terms of death and bereavement, but grief is a product of any profound loss. As humans, we grieve for many things–the loss of love, the loss of a job, the loss of a marriage or a friendship, the loss of a beloved pet. We also grieve deeply when…
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“Carry Me: Stories of Pregnancy Loss”
The author compiles real stories of the emotional and physical challenges of miscarriage as she grieves her own lossPregnancy loss is incredibly common; in fact, about 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. “But,” the Mayo Clinic stipulates, “the actual number is likely higher.” Despite how common it is, it can be an isolating experience. In many miscarriage cases, physicians offer minimal support after a patient is stable. Family members often…
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Stillbirth and Infant Loss Photography: Support for Families Through Remembrance (Interview)
Missy Thomas, executive director of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, shares the organization’s mission, and why it is so powerfulIn 2005, Cheryl Haggard co-founded Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) with photographer Sandy Puc’, embarking on a mission to provide black and white remembrance portraits for parents experiencing the death of a baby. Borne out of painful experience, Haggard knows the power these professional portraits have in helping parents and other family…
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Understanding the Dying Process
Knowing what a dying body needs and doesn’t need is crucial to providing end of life care“If I had only known….” The pain behind those too frequently uttered words is the reason my focus is on educating others about the dying process and all the end-of-life issues that accompany it. The purpose of this monthly blog will be to demystify the dying process. By understanding the natural wisdom of the body…
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“Suncoast”
Set against the backdrop of the controversial Terri Schiavo case, this film follows Doris as her adolescence unfolds alongside her brother Max’s illness and hospice deathWeaving together differing views on end-of-life ethics and a teenager’s coming of age, “Suncoast,” writer-director Laura Chinn’s semi-autobiographical tale, centres on Doris (Nico Parker), whose brother Max (Cree Kawa) is dying. The story also highlights the family dynamics of a mother, Kristine (Laura Linney), who is losing her son while struggling to appreciate and engage…
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31 Humorous Quotes About Aging
A lighthearted collection of witty, relatable lines that celebrate growing older with humor, perspective, and a touch of sarcasmAging has a funny way of sneaking up on you; one day you’re pulling all-nighters, and the next you’re celebrating a full eight hours of sleep like you’ve won the lottery. But if there’s one thing that makes growing older a little easier, it’s a good sense of humor. After all, as Betty White famously…
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Our Monthly Tip: Baby Blue Memorial Ideas for a Baby Boy: Symbolic Ideas and Gentle Touches
The snug hug of baby blue paired with soft white honors an infant’s life that was deeply cherishedSoft, serene and full of quiet meaning, a baby blue–inspired memorial can offer a gentle way to honor the life of an infant gone too soon. Often associated with innocence, peace and calm-weather skies, this delicate hue pays homage to the loss of an eagerly-anticipated baby boy. By incorporating pale blue florals and candles, along…
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“Home, Love, and Loss,” an Art Bridges program at the Ellen Noël Art Museum
Collaboration and community are at the heart of the multi-museum exhibit “Home, Love, and Loss,” the current project of the Art Bridges Cohort ProgramHome, Love, and Loss opened on April 2 at the Ellen Noël Art Museum in Odessa, Texas, and runs through July 19. The exhibit examines commonalities in how people experience all aspects of the lifecycle, from birth to aging to death. It also does not shy away from harder topics, such as disruptions andtrauma, that…
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