02/27/2024
Written in collaboration with Misha Butot It seems that all of us, young and old, will at times feel confused, upset, and filled with uncertainty when faced with a life-limiting illness or facing death. At those times it can be especially helpful to have someone with us who is able to listen to us and
Read More02/14/2024
Written by Kath Murray and Misha Butot. As part of Valentine’s Day this year, we are considering the role of love in your professional practice. We invite you to reflect on what might be considered a “loving” way, a “compassionate” way, of engaging in providing holistic health and psychosocial care through the life trajectory and
Read More01/02/2024
Guest Contributor: Misha Butot Given that dying and death are as natural as birth, why do people become fearful about being with a dead body or providing care for a person’s body after death? Even mentioning these topics here is likely to have some readers shivering and feeling some distaste. Where do fears of death
Read More12/18/2023
To the Life and Death Matters Community, Ted and I want to express our gratitude, care, concern and hopes as the holiday season approaches. We are a community with diverse perspectives and beliefs. Some of us celebrate the Winter Solstice, others celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and other faith-based festivals. For each, even within the same faith
Read More12/10/2023
Guest Contributor: Nadine Valk My father-in-law was an extraordinary human being: grounded, thoughtful, compassionate, and wise. So, when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and had to make a quick decision about treatment, I shouldn’t have been surprised that for Dave, it wasn’t an automatic yes. He wanted to know about the big picture
Read More11/23/2023
Guest contributor: Rebecca V. Hoden, DNP, RN, CHPN She knew it would be her last Thanksgiving. Her family gathered with her and conversations flourished. There were stories, laughter and tears shared – all while new memories were being made. I visited the home on Thanksgiving day and was greeted by laughter. And I heard the
Read More11/20/2023
Guest Contributor – Bev Foster I have always had a strong sense that music is my close companion along the journey of life. Music continues to accompany me through various life passages giving me a deeper sense of connection and belonging, rekindling old bonds and forming new ones. Music’s ability to connect people whether it’s
Read More11/06/2023
My heart is full as I remember – Remembrance Day. And my heart is full as I consider – today – the news – wars, deaths due to toxic drug supply, intimate violence, racism, poverty, climate change, fear. Loss and grief are not just personal. We experience loss and we grieve individually, in community, nationally
Read More10/30/2023
Kathy Kortes-Miller has generously provided the first chapter of her book “Talking about death won’t kill you” for us to post here! Have a read – we think you’ll agree it’s a stunning resource. If you are interested, Kathy is speaking about her book in our webinar on November 7, 2023. Registration info is at
Read More10/19/2023
Talking About Death Won’t Kill You sounds like a story-book title, but it is actually a nonfiction book packed with “informational how-to’s” – as in how to talk about death and is written by Kathy Kortes-Miller – a palliative care educator and researcher. It is a wonderful book to read whether you are a healthcare
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