Articles on Green Burials and More . . .
Write Your Own Obituary Worksheet
My name: Do I want this to be my legal name, my magickal name, my nickname, or a combination of the above? How do I want it in the papers?
Photo: Do I have a photo I can attach to my obituary and update occasionally?
Cause of Death: It’s customary to include this – people want to know! Do I want to assure this will be included when I cross over? Do I have any situations I absolutely would not want to be in the papers?
(Download the rest of the worksheet here - PDF.)
The SIX ESSENTIAL documents everyone should have in relation to death are:
- Will
- Health Care Directive/Living Will
- Durable Power of Attorney Health
- Durable Power of Attorney Finance
- Disposition of Body Form
- HIPPA/allows for communication
All six documents are available state-specific online.
Always complete forms accurately and completely in black ink. No white-out or correction tape, mark throughs. Best to make copies and keep writing until you do a perfect page.
Be sure dates, spelling of names, locations etc. are correct. If witnesses are required, make sure they are not persons who are beneficiaries in any way of your crossing.
Thanks to Dr. Cat Sanders for gifting me with the concise list of six!
An Interview with Nora Cedarwind Young
about Death Midwifery and Green Burials
Q. What is the history behind Death Midwives?
The history is as old as birth and death itself. Most cultures have some form of death rituals, caring for the dying and these were usually positions held by women, in wise woman tradition. However, some cultures did utilize shamans or tribal priests to help the transition be in line with their belief systems. And most include practices of comfort, nurturing, bathing, prayer, song, family or ancestral connection, farewells and ritual preparation of the body once passed.
Q. What services do you provide? Describe a typical encounter.
Uh….this is like saying, “describe a typical birth…” My first birth was a home franks breech 36 hour labor, my second was twins with an emergency c-section after 26 hours, my third birth was a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean and it was 8 hours and three pushes…. No two deaths are the same, however they do embrace certain patterns.
I provide all kinds of services, from education about Green Burials to counseling folks on how to prepare necessary paperwork that will assure they have requests that will be honored.
(Continue reading this article here.)
Green Burials for a Green Earth
As consumers, we read labels, are influenced by packaging, care about farming techniques and trade practices of the products we choose. We reuse or recycle our product containers. The principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle can be appropriately applied to death and funeral choices. Eco-friendly options protect natural resources and can reduce costs. A family pet, buried in the yard under the apple tree, has been given an eco-friendly funeral. While I am not advocating for everyone to consider your backyard for your burial plot, I am advocating that people consider greener options if burial is the decision for you.
(Continue reading this article here.)
Dust in the Wind ~ Thoughts on Cremation
Q. Do ashes pose a health or environmental hazard?
A. No, nor does almost anything that’s been exposed to nearly 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. What remains are inert fragments of bone, mostly calcium.
Q. Don’t you have to buy a permanent urn?
A. No. Any container of your choice is allowed under law. Cookie jars and pottery tend to be most common.