{"id":9999,"date":"2020-03-10T10:34:09","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T14:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.talkdeath.com\/?p=9999"},"modified":"2020-12-22T08:57:33","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T13:57:33","slug":"a-deeper-dive-into-death-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talkdeath.com\/a-deeper-dive-into-death-retreat\/","title":{"rendered":"A Deeper Dive Into Death Retreat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article is written by TalkDeath Editor, Mandy, after she participated in the three-day A Deeper Dive into Death r<\/span><\/i>etreat and death doula workshop in Sierraville, California. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A Deeper Dive Into Death <\/b>Retreat<\/b><\/h2>\n

A Deeper Dive Into Death<\/span><\/i> retreat was a three-day retreat hosted by Jill Schock of <\/span>Death Doula LA<\/span><\/a>, Emily Cross of <\/span>Steady Waves End-of-Life<\/span><\/a>, Meghan Carmichael of <\/span>805 Funerals<\/span><\/a>, and Stefanie Elkins, Continuum of Care<\/a> Coach & Consultant. It was designed for <\/span>\u201cindividuals interested in learning the ins and outs of death care on a professional or personal level\u201d and consisted of hands-on workshops, and courses from a range of deathcare professionals. <\/span>A Deeper Dive Into Death retreat <\/span><\/i>covered <\/span>the entire<\/span> end-of-life journey, from diagnosis through disposition. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The common interest and passion in redefining deathcare brought everyone together seamlessly.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I have never attended a retreat before, and while I do enjoy my share of spa visits and yoga classes, I can say with confidence that I am <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>the retreat \u201ctype\u201d. Being stuck in a remote location with a group of people I have never met before, and opening up about personal experiences, is my introverted nightmare. But invite me to a meet-up with a group of folks solely there to discuss death and learn about deathcare? I\u2019m in. <\/span><\/p>\n

The retreat felt like it actually began when I landed at the Reno airport after an 8 hour flight from Canada. The 1 hour drive from Reno to Sierraville, California had nothing but beautiful mountain views, and pastures dotted with livestock and horses (to which I shouted \u201chorsie!!\u201d to only myself, everytime I drove past some). <\/span><\/p>\n

A rustic and bucolic scene treated me as I arrived at the tranquil Sierra Hot Springs Resort and Retreat Center. To my relief, walking into the common area for the first time, it did <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>feel like the first day of school. The group was made up of individuals from different age groups, careers and backgrounds, but the common interest and passion in redefining deathcare brought everyone together seamlessly. Our group was the perfect size – 19 of us including facilitators, with the entire guest house to ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photos and Video by TJ Allen<\/a> and Jessica Hurtado<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n

A Deeper Dive Into Death Retreat – Day 1:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Friday evening began with a group meal and introduction to key philosophical and ideological approaches to death and dying. We discussed Keirkegaard\u2019s existential philosophy and our unique ability to recognize our own mortality; Dr. Sheldon Solomon\u2019s Terror management theory; and Elisabeth Kubler-Ross\u2019s well-known, <\/span>though controversial<\/span><\/a>, stages of grief. It was clear from these discussions that Schock and the rest of the coordinators were focused on facilitating a dialogue within the group, as opposed to lecturing <\/span>at<\/span><\/i> the group. It was only our first activity, but it already felt like we were a group of friends having meaningful conversations about death and our personal experiences with death anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photos and Video by TJ Allen<\/a> and Jessica Hurtado<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n

Emily Cross then facilitated her well known <\/span>Living Funeral Ceremony<\/span><\/a> where participants are guided through the process of their own physical death, and memorial service. A meditative and extremely emotional experience, participants are made to reflect on their life and come to terms with their mortality. <\/span><\/p>\n

The evening ended in the hot springs. I cannot stress enough how perfect this location was. After an exhausting day of travel, a delicious meal, philosophical conversations about dying, and literally experiencing your own funeral, I could not have imagined a more effective way to soak it all in than sitting in a warm sulphuric bath, gawking at a bright starry sky while surrounded by darkness. It was now official: I was converted into a retreat person. <\/span><\/p>\n