Best Life Best Death

Kacie Gikonyo is a registered nurse, death doula, and educator with over 12 years of experience in end-of-life care. She is the founder of Death Doula School, offering training for death doulas, and leads The Death Doula Collective, a national network for practitioners in the field. Kacie’s mission is to demystify death and provide compassionate support to individuals and their families. In this episode, Kacie and I discuss how doulas, hospice teams, and the medical system can collaborate effectively, what doulas need to know, and how families can benefit from their expertise. We also delve into the “hot topic” of certification for doulas. What do you envision the future of death care could look like?https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086696492390https://deathdoulakacie.com

From his humble days as a “lawn guy” at a local funeral home, to his current role as a funeral director and leader on the board of the Green Burial Council, Samuel Perry stands out! I am excited to bring you this conversation about green burial, because it includes not just the facts, but also a thoughtful discussion of what green burial represents and could mean to any one of us. When we say “traditional burial,” maybe green burial is the real deal?@greenburialcouncil

This week I’ll give you an overview of the many ways a body can be laid to rest — from traditional cremation to options like green burial, water cremation, and terramation. We’ll explore what can be done with ashes and how personal values shape these end-of-life decisions. Whether you’re new to these concepts or looking for what’s current, this episode offers a practical guide to body disposition in the U.S. If you’d like more detail on what’s discussed here, there are several BLBD episodes with guests who go into more detail. Check out all my podcasts listed by category at bestlifebestdeath.com.

Jennifer A. O’Brien, MSOD, joins me to discuss a topic that we all need more understanding around: caregiving. In her book Care Boss: Leadership Strategies and Resources for Family Caregivers she draws from over 35 years in healthcare leadership and personal caregiving experiences to share practical tools, organizational strategies, and compassionate insights for supporting loved ones through serious illness. How can we take stock of what is needed? Where do we turn for help? How can we step into the role of a Care Boss with confidence and clarity? Grounded in her time as an interim CEO of clinical practices and her own deep caregiving journey, this conversation and this book are filled with pragmatic guidance. Yet, she also touches on the immeasurable aspects of caregiving. Is there any way to measure what we give and what we get as a caregiver?

Whether large or small, urban or suburban, many of us have a favorite cemetery. Perhaps the crown jewel of cemeteries in the US is the National Historical Landmark of Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1838, by the 1860s it had earned an international reputation for its magnificent beauty. This week I talk with Gabrielle Gatto, Manager of Public Programs at Green-Wood Cemetery, who shares the history and current educational programs happening at this gorgeous “necropolis within a metropolis.”https://www.green-wood.com/https://instagram.com/historicgreenwoodhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Green-Wood-Cemetery/168452476528119

Former hospice and oncology nurse turned Doulagiver Trainer, Suzanne B. O’Brien has dedicated her life to teaching people how to care for those at the end of it. In our first podcast conversation (BLBD #105), we explored the reality that most of us will, at some point, be called to support a loved one at the end of life. And guess what – that is still true. But couldn’t we be more prepared? In this episode, Suzanne shares insights from her new book, offering practical guidance on what contributes to a “good death,” including becoming less fearful of the unknown, how emotional considerations come into play, and preparation that goes beyond paperwork. What do caregivers need to know? How can they be supported in this truly life-changing role? This conversation and this book are a guide to help you become more ready.www.facebook.com/Doulagiverswww.instagram.com/suzannebobrienrnhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hospicenursesuzannehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDCESlQBurhI9FPiPqsb-Lw

This week, doula, educator and book-lover Jade Adgate joins me to explore children’s books that delve into the tender topics of death, grief and loss. Why is it important to read about these subjects? How early can you start? And how can books guide us inward to our emotions and help us make sense of the world? Jade beautifully articulates the possibilities and meaning within life’s challenges. Whether or not you have children in your life, this episode might inspire you to seek out the seven sweet and moving titles we discuss!The Dead Bird - Margaret Wise Brown (Author) andChristian Robinson (Illustrator) The End of Something Wonderful: A Practical Guide to a Backyard Funeral - Stephanie Lucianovic (Author) andGeorge Ermos (Illustrator) Cry Heart But Never Break - Glenn Ringtved (Author) and Charlotte Pardi (Illustrator) A Last Goodbye -Elin Kelsey (Author) andSoyeon Kim (Illustrator) The Rabbit Listened - byCori DoerrfeldThe Heart and the Bottle - byOliver JeffersThe Truth Pixie - by Matt Haighttps://www.farewellfellowship.com/https://www.instagram.com/the.farewell.library/

Sometimes, the truth is that the dead are not always our “beloved.” Relationships can be incredibly complex, and when a person in a complicated relationship dies, the grief that follows is…complicated. The often-heard phrase “Grief = Love” may resonate with some, but it is far from  universal. This week on the Best Life Best Death podcast, Tawnya Musser and I explore grief in the context of challenging relationships. How do we navigate loss when our feelings about the deceased are conflicted, unresolved, or even all-around negative? What does it mean to grieve someone we didn’t love – or who didn’t love us back? Whether you’re navigating your own feelings of complicated loss or are supporting someone else, this conversation will broaden your understanding of grief beyond a traditional narrative. deardepartures.com https://www.facebook.com/deardepartures https://www.instagram.com/deardepartures/

In this information-filled episode, Tawnya Musser and I explore the power and possibilities of home funerals. What exactly is a “home funeral”? How does it differ from one managed by a funeral home or institution? What might a home funeral look like, and how can family and friends take part in meaningful ways? Most importantly, how does it expand your options when you better understand this legal choice? In this conversation, we dive into what’s possible, what’s typical, and what’s realistic when it comes to home funerals. Learn how a personal approach of caring for and spending time with your dead can create space for community and connection. As Tawnya explains, “People often tell me, ‘I wish I had known this was an option.’ Not everyone will choose a home funeral, but everyone should know they have the choice.”  deardepartures.com https://www.facebook.com/deardepartures https://www.instagram.com/deardepartures/

In this episode, I chat with Jennifer O’Brien, author of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: An Art Journal of Caregiving and Grief and also Care Boss. (More on that one in another episode!) This book is a deeply moving art journal that captures Jennifer’s experience as a caregiver during her husband Bob Lemberg’s ordeal with metastatic cancer. With digital collages, heartfelt reflections, and Bob’s insights as a hospice doctor himself, Jennifer shares her experience so that others can see a way in and through. We talk about the shifting nature of hope in end-of-life situations, the comfort that comes from shared experiences, and practical advice for caregivers. Beyond the book, Jennifer discusses the importance of community—through widow support groups and other connections—and how art helped her navigate the hardest moments of life and loss. http://jenniferaobrien.com https://www.instagram.com/hospicedoctorswidow/ https://www.facebook.com/hospicedrswidow https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-o-brien-msod-a3b9491/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgYD1bAJ3igJKNtVb25c-Q