Information about Ann Arbor Death Cafe can be found on our Facebook page. Please “like” us!
Information about Ann Arbor Green Burial Network can be found here. Please “like” us!
An End-of-Life Doula accompanies the dying person and their loved ones through the final months, weeks and days of life. He/she provides support, resources, education and friendship for those who accept and embrace dying as a period of life, not just an abrupt ending. This period of life may last a year or a day. It brings challenges and joys, sorrows and opportunity. The end-of-life doula adds a layer of support for both the dying person and their family to help them live life to the fullest.
In our November training (Michigan’s first!), participants learn what an end-of-life doula is and does and how to support the dying and their loved ones through education, accompaniment, referrals to resources in the community and companionship. End-of-Life Doulas learn to enhance and empower, rather than usurp the role of friends, family, medical team and spiritual care providers. They learn how to set guidelines, define their reach, maintain good boundaries and practice self-care.
As more and more of us live longer and face chronic and life-limiting illness, the period of dying has extended from a few days or weeks to months or years. Medical care focuses solely on cure and treatment. Patients often feel adrift among medical choices while grasping for ways to live with illness in full awareness that death will come. Life choices include acceptance, growth and sharing gifts of love and preparation. There is much meaning to be found during the “dying year” that is profound and life affirming. It is a time of opportunity and growth to be embraced, not shunned. The end-of-life doula guides and accompanies the dying person and their family as they explore this territory and live to the fullest during this transition time.
Please visit http://center4cby.com/end-of-life-doula-training/ for more info and to register.
Join us for lively discussion about life and death led by the participants and facilitated by Merilynne Rush and Diana Cramer. The Ann Arbor Death Cafe has been meeting every month since November, 2012, making us the longest standing continuously running Death Cafe in the world! For more information, please visit www.DeathCafe.com.
Home funeral and green burial represent a return to natural, simple and personal methods of honoring and caring for our dead. A home funeral can bring healing and comfort to friends and family and is a normal extension of hospice care at home. Participants will learn:
- Current funeral practices in the U.S.
- How to care for the body at home after death
- Creating sacred space and funeral ceremony or ritual
- Legal and cost considerations
- How to locate and work with a funeral director
- Special circumstances
- Green Burial (What is it and where is it available?)
- The importance of planning ahead
- How to form a circle of support
For more info and to register, please visit http://center4cby.com/end-of-life-doula-training/ or contact Merilynne Rush at [email protected] or 734-395-9660.
Join us for lively discussion about life and death led by the participants and facilitated by Merilynne Rush and Diana Cramer. The Ann Arbor Death Cafe has been meeting every month since November, 2012, making us the longest standing continuously running Death Cafe in the world! For more information, please visit www.DeathCafe.com.
Become a RespectingChoices® Advance Care Planning Facilitator!
Training includes how to assist healthy adults to identify a healthcare advocate, discuss their values and wishes with their advocate, and complete Advance Directive documents. Those who complete the course receive certification as a First Steps Facilitator through Respecting Choices®.
Training Prerequisites
- Complete four online training modules.
- Initiate an advance care planning discussion with someone.
- Complete an Advance Directive practice document.
Respecting Choices®
Respecting Choices® is an international, evidence-based advance care planning (ACP) program with a key message: ACP is a process of communication rather than a signature on a document.This process enables individuals to:
- Understand their choices for future healthcare
- Reflect on personal goals, values, religious or cultural beliefs
- Talk to physicians, healthcare agents and loved ones about their preferences.
To be effective, this process of communication needs to be individualized, based on a person’s state of health and revisited at appropriate times.
To register, click on the “Tickets” link above and then scroll to the bottom of the page.
Join us for lively discussion about life and death led by the participants and facilitated by Merilynne Rush and Diana Cramer. The Ann Arbor Death Cafe has been meeting every month since November, 2012, making us the longest standing continuously running Death Cafe in the world! For more information, please visit www.DeathCafe.com.
Due to high demand we are offering this, our second End-of-Life Doula Training, so soon after our first successful training in November. We won’t be offering it again until October. Please read all the info here. We’ve also started a Facebook conversation group for support to those doing this awesome work.
Learn how to provide extra support to families caring for their dying loved one. Based on the doula model of care developed for birth and postpartum and taught by experienced natural healthcare providers and educators Merilynne Rush and Patty Brennan, this is a one-of-a-kind, dynamic and fast-paced training limited to 20 people. Our well-developed teaching style comes from our combined years of experience with caring for families in transition and teaching others how to respond to the needs of others. We hope you’ll join us!
Event organized by the Michigan Political Union, a student group interested in civil rights. Speakers include:
Merilynne Rush, on green burial and home funeral
Mike Mitchell, funeral director, on funeral laws in Michigan
Rebecca Wrock, attorney, on advance directives
Roxane Chan and Rebecca Lehto, physicians, on palliative care
Light refreshments provided
Join us for lively discussion about life and death led by the participants and facilitated by Merilynne Rush and Diana Cramer. The Ann Arbor Death Cafe has been meeting every month since November, 2012, making us the longest standing continuously running Death Cafe in the world! For more information, please visit www.DeathCafe.com.
Join us for lively discussion about life and death led by the participants and facilitated by Merilynne Rush and Diana Cramer. The Ann Arbor Death Cafe has been meeting every month since November, 2012, making us the longest standing continuously running Death Cafe in the world! For more information, please visit www.DeathCafe.com.