The Terminal (Vol. 10, April 2025)
What end-of-life professionals need to know this month
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Practice makes perfect
Innovations and insights for professional development
BeLoved hospice in Salem, Oregon is hiring a death doula—though be warned, the pay is low.
People who aren’t afraid of death shared their reasons why, which range from personal near-death experiences to philosophical viewpoints, such as viewing death as a natural part of life or comparing post-death nonexistence to the state before birth.
Outside Magazine ran a piece highlighting the demand for forest burials, a result of its eco-friendliness and for its nostalgic connection to early American traditions.
In a survey, only 11% of New Jersey residents were aware that the state offers Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). It’s not just the Garden State—Rutgers research shows that most Americans have no idea MAiD is legal in certain states.
Innovative cremation services are growing. Companies like Parting Stone convert cremated remains into polished stones, while others incorporate ashes into jewelry, artwork, or even artificial reefs.
UCLA's cardiothoracic intensive care unit has implemented "Community," a nurse-led initiative designed to support patients, families, and staff during the dying process. The program equips nurses with tools to honor patients' end-of-life preferences, provide compassionate care through death, and process their own grief. (My opinion: While this is needed, it feels like putting even more responsibility on overworked nurses.)
What are some of the best ways to die? Implosion! Or under general anesthesia. If you’re fresh out of submarines or surgeries, kidney failure is a swift passing with minimal suffering.
This will become an increasingly familiar scenario that end-of-life care workers can expect to see: A terminally ill Milwaukee man was approved for disability benefits but is unlikely to receive any funds before he dies due to a five-month waiting period, leaving his family without needed support.
Partners In Care is teaming up with The Peaceful Presence Project to launch an end-of-life doula program, training volunteers to offer extra non-clinical support to patients and families during their final days.
Funeral costs in England have risen approximately 15% since 2022, with full services now averaging around £6,000.
Also in the UK, an NHS watchdog reports that patients are dying because doctors are missing cancers on scans, with over 40 cases of errors in reading and reporting images leading to patient harm. Improved digital infrastructure is just one of the things that needs to happen to keep this trend from growing.
More women are leading San Antonio's funeral industry, with San Antonio College's 2023-2024 mortuary science program graduating an all-female class! This reflects a national trend—in 2019, women comprised 72% of mortuary science students.
A funeral home in Utah is pioneering "human composting," or natural organic reduction (NOR) in the state. Interestingly, it is not legal in Utah, but the funeral home partners with Seattle-based Recompose to offer this service by transporting remains to Washington.
Here are 11 “important things to know” for those who are beginning their caregiving journey for a spouse.
Did you know this is available in 26 states? The Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) program assists older adults in aging safely at home through personalized support from occupational therapists, registered nurses, and handy workers, though it currently lacks consistent Medicare funding.
A recent report by Mirador Living ranks Utah, Arizona, and Idaho as the top states for senior care quality, while Oklahoma, New York, and Washington, D.C. are among the lowest-rated.
BMC Palliative Care is soliciting submissions for a collection focused on enhancing palliative care for individuals with dementia. The collection will showcase innovative approaches and interdisciplinary care models to improve patient and caregiver outcomes. The deadline is December 18, 2025.
Ongoing shortages of essential opioid medications in Australia are causing significant distress for palliative care patients, leading to inadequate pain management, increased hospitalizations, and additional out-of-pocket expenses.
A new advocacy initiative led by the Courageous Parents Network is pushing for expanded access to pediatric hospice, respite, and palliative care through public education and federal policy changes like the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act.
The Care Connexion, a Baton Rouge startup, is launching a B2B platform to streamline home health care by connecting agencies with therapy providers through a bidding system.
The Stitches for Hospice project in Portland, Oregon, invites community members to sew, knit, or crochet catheter covers and clothing protectors to enhance dignity for hospice patients.
Do your clients need a will ASAP? Here are CNBC’s picks for the best online will makers in 2025.
China is ramping up the use of AI and robotics in elder care to tackle challenges from its aging population, with initiatives like humanoid robots assisting seniors in daily tasks.
Millennial women are increasingly feeling the financial strain of caregiving, often balancing their careers with the unpaid responsibility of caring for loved ones.
A new program in Utah offers comprehensive grief support to individuals coping with loss, providing resources and counseling to aid in the healing process.
The Grief House Atlanta provides a supportive community for individuals experiencing various forms of loss. It’s partnering with local healers, artists, and teachers to offer in-person and virtual gatherings aimed at fostering healing.
*Intermission*
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Legal and political
Reform and progress
The Trump administration has paused a federal initiative aimed at increasing oversight of hospice care, delaying efforts to address fraud and abuse within the Medicare-funded industry.
The implementation of the assisted dying law in England and Wales is now expected to be delayed until at least 2029, extending the original two-year timeline to four years due to additional safeguards introduced in the bill. Supporters fear that pushing the timeline beyond the next general election could risk the bill being politically sidelined or abandoned.
Missouri has introduced new guidelines for licensing funeral directors and embalmers, including structured examinations, temporary licenses for next of kin, and mandatory apprenticeships to ensure consistent competency and service continuity.
Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced a Death with Dignity bill that would allow terminally ill patients to request medical aid in dying.
Illinois lawmakers are advancing legislation to enhance end-of-life and palliative care options for terminally ill patients, such as allowing home health services to deliver medications for the seriously or terminally ill.
If Iowa passes "Mason's Law," it would be the first state to establish a pediatric palliative care center license. The goal is to provide specialized care for sick children.
Nevada home health care workers are lobbying the state legislature to raise their minimum wage from $16 to $20 an hour, citing the increasing demand for caregivers as the state's population ages. Also in Nevada, Assembly Bill 161 will tighten oversight of hospice care.
West Virginia's Senate Bill 697, the "Caregiver Tax Credit Act," proposes a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $2,000 for family caregivers to offset expenses incurred while caring for eligible relatives.
A University of Florida nursing student is leading efforts to reform Florida's end-of-life care policies by advocating for legislation that would create standardized, legally recognized medical orders reflecting patients' wishes, including an electronic registry for accessibility.
The Freedom for Family Caregiving Act, up for vote in Tennessee, would allow family members to be compensated for providing care to their loved ones.
Science
New knowledge
Researchers are exploring the concept of a transitional phase between life and death, focusing on phenomena such as near-death experiences (NDEs) and terminal lucidity. The scientists involved want to deepen our understanding of consciousness and the dying process, which could inform changes for end-of-life care practices.
A recent study indicates that people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 face a 2.4 times higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases compared to their cancer-free peers.
While deaths from heart failure-related cardiac arrest in the U.S. have significantly declined over the past 25 years, data shows that disparities persist—primarily with men, Black individuals, and rural residents experiencing higher mortality rates.
A University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. student is researching the technological and ethical implications of integrating artificial intelligence into palliative care decision-making.
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that individuals with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body dementia often experience unmet hospice needs, including longer stays and higher rates of hospice revocation compared to those with Alzheimer's disease.
Headlining doulas
Real-life stories
INELDA and University of Vermont grad Natalie Ann Evans says that the demand for end-of-life doulas is rising as more people seek personalized, compassionate support during the dying process.
Beth Stotts, a pastor and end-of-life doula, says her dual roles allow her to guide people through end-of-life transitions in a unique way.
Chicago death doula Sandi Bianchi offers at-home, Spanish-language support to Mexican American families, blending traditional Mexican end-of-life customs with compassionate care. Bianchi helps individuals to experience a culturally familiar and peaceful passing at home.
Community
Events
Online:
The Grief Read is a community reading series where people share writing about loss, grief, and mourning—whether their own or others’. Join the next gathering to listen, reflect, or read aloud in a space that honors the many ways we carry and express grief. April 5, 12-1 p.m. EDT.
The International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) 2025 Spring Symposium will explore how healthcare providers can better understand and support patients who’ve had near-death experiences, featuring expert panels, personal stories, and continuing education opportunities. April 26.
Join The Grief Gallery’s monthly Zoom meeting to remember loved ones, share stories, be in community and get a taste of the Curating Grief approach to grief support. April 30, 2 p.m. ET.
Sacred Plant Medicine at End-of-Life is an online workshop exploring the use of plant medicine to support emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being during the end-of-life journey, covering preparation, safety, legal considerations, and integration. April 26, 1 - 3:30 pm MT.
The annual Barbara Swartz Lecture is here, and the theme will be "Covering the Basics” on all questions about MAiD. The goal is to mobilize support for passing the bill in New York. May 1, 6-8 p.m. EST.
The Bardo is hosting a virtual candlelight vigil to honor loved ones, hold space for our grief, and reflect on the profound possibilities of transformation. May 6, 7 p.m. CST.
Surviving the Loss is a group for Oregon-based LGBTQ+ community members who have lost someone close to them. The series goes for six weeks. April 23, 2-3:30 PST.
In-person:
Tacoma, WA: Living with the Dead is a unique in-person workshop that educates attendees on the practice of caring for the body of a loved one at home after death, blending hands-on guidance with reflection, ritual, and community connection. April 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
St. Paul, MN: The Grief Room is an open-house event for remembrance, healing, and community, featuring art, photography, shared stories, grief-tending rituals, and gentle spaces for connection—held in collaboration with Our Cesarean Scar Project MN. April 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Seattle, WA: The Sacred Circle Retreat is a four-day immersive gathering for BIPOC death and grief workers to rest, connect, and be nourished in community, featuring workshops, rituals, nature, and healing practices. Jul 18-20.
Madison, WI: Grief's Canvas one-day workshop offers a supportive space, led by artists, to explore and transform grief through art, using simple techniques and shared stories to express emotion. No art experience needed. April 19, 9:30-11 a.m.
Kelloe, England: Be part of a funeral photoshoot—a creative, styled shoot designed for funeral celebrants and death educators to capture professional images in imaginative end-of-life ceremony settings, featuring eco-coffins, sustainable flowers, and networking with modern funeral professionals. April 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Kent, England: At the End of Life Doula UK gathering, members can attend a special two-day event of workshops, talks, and connection in a serene setting—an opportunity to deepen your practice, share experiences, and build community with fellow doulas. May 23-24.
Mosier, OR: Drive an hour outside of Portland to join Great River Natural Burial for their opening celebration. Located on 150 acres, the conservation green burial ground is offering burial demos, a tour, and a chance to connect with green burial experts. May 17, 1-4 p.m.
New Orleans, LA: The National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) is hosting Doulapalooza 2025 for end-of-life doulas, but all end-of-life adjacent and curious folk are welcome. Details to come. Oct 10-12.
Gig Harbor, WA: Catch a one-day grief retreat for a spacious, restorative gathering designed to help you reconnect with yourself and your grief through quiet reflection, movement, and nature. May 4.
Oneonta, NY: Huntington Memorial Library is hosting Death Out Loud, a community conversation about any and all aspects of death and dying. Registration required. April 26, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Raleigh, NC: Mark your calendars, buy your tix, and register to attend the National Funeral Consumers Alliance Biennial. Tour a green cemetery, visit an aquamation facility, hear from speakers, and enjoy some happy hours—I’ll be there (for some of it)! June 26-29.
Media
Death-related books, movies, podcasts, and shows
I loved Mickey 17 and you might, too. In this strange but feel-good dystopian, futuristic sci-fi film, a man signs up to die over and over again so scientists can learn about the new planet they’re on.
In the latest episode of Bloomberg's "Merryn Talks Money" podcast, the hosts discussed "dying broke”—and looked at strategies for spending or allocating wealth during one’s lifetime rather than leaving substantial inheritances.
Dying for Sex is a new Hulu series starring Michelle Williams playing a woman with terminal cancer who leaves her marriage to explore her sexuality. It’s based on a true story and podcast.
After enduring her husband's death from colon cancer and her daughter's sudden passing due to an asthma attack, hospice nurse Kim Vesey was inspired by her grandson's question, “What cloud is my mommy in?” to write children's books addressing grief. Her series, beginning with What Cloud is My Mommy In?, aims to help children navigate the complexities of loss and bereavement.
Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins by Amy Shea is a powerful essay collection that explores the inequities faced by unhoused, indigent, and unclaimed individuals at the end of life, and shows how privilege and access shape our experiences of death and dying.
"Dying To Tell You" is a Colorado-based podcast hosted by a palliative care chaplain that features interviews with terminally ill individuals who share their life lessons and reflections on facing mortality.
The memoir "Bittersweet: A True Story of Love and Loss" chronicles author Lotte Bowser's journey through grief after her fiancé's death, offering insights into healing and finding joy amidst loss.
Bradley Cooper is executive producing "Caregiving," a PBS documentary premiering June 24, 2025, that look at the daily experiences of six family and professional caregivers in the U.S.
"Late to Your Own Funeral" by Rachel Donnelly is a practical guide that combines real-life stories and humor to help readers organize their affairs and plan their legacies.
A Vietnam veteran has authored "End of Life Planning for Veterans and Spouses/Families," a comprehensive guide aimed at assisting military members and their families in navigating end-of-life decisions.
N.B.
Bits and pieces
A family sent their beloved father home to be buried in Guatemala, and while watching the live-streamed funeral, they realized it wasn’t the 39-year-old man they were mourning…it was some 96-year-old woman. Cue lawsuit.
From gym class to the mortuary: One P.E. teacher says the skills he gained from his 20+ years in education transferred surprisingly well to embalming.
A New York Times article examines how AI technology is now enabling interactions with digital replicas of deceased loved ones, blurring the line between life and death and raising ethical questions about grief and privacy.
When an isolated veteran was told he had 24 hours to live, his community answered the call for support.
A 20-year-old dying of a rare disease chose to spend his final days on a 60-day cross-country road trip with his family. He passed away during the trip in Sedona, Arizona (strangely, I’m here visiting Sedona as I write this). The journey was dubbed "G's Last Stand," and it fulfilled his wish to avoid dying in a hospital—as well as create lasting memories with his family.
A married couple of 41 years, both sick with cancer, ended their lives together under Canada’s MAiD law. Their daughter said the couple fell asleep listening to their first dance song from their wedding, “I Love You” by Climax Blues Band.
This guy loved Snickers so much he got a Snickers coffin that looked half-unwrapped. My fantasy coffin would definitely be a Coca-Cola can.
In an article from The Guardian, James Bailey shares insights from 15 individuals—including a palliative care doctor, a Holocaust survivor, and a jail inmate—on their interpretations of life's meaning.
A journalist turned to Reddit to find the stories of 15 people who had near-death experiences.
Iowa funeral director Lanae Strovers is part of a growing wave of women entering the traditionally male-dominated funeral industry. Strovers was inspired to join the profession after attending a friend's impersonal funeral.
Widowed parents who lost their spouses to cancer met at a grief camp, where their children bonded instantly. The couple married a year later.
Here’s when all life on this planet will end. (Absent from this calculation is climate change and nuclear war.)
Did you know…?
In the 17th and 18th centuries, people used to pay executioners big bucks to drink the warm, fresh blood of a recently killed prisoner. They believed it had health-giving properties. Joke’s on them, I guess. (Don’t even get me started on the mummy parties of Victorian England. Only Google it if you have a strong stomach.)
I put this in the events section but I am calling it out again here: Don’t miss your chance to attend the 2025 Funeral Consumers Alliance Conference in late June. The Order of the Good Death will be there, along with other colorful folk you can’t help but have a good time with. Should I wear sparkles? I think I might. Early bird registration ends May 23rd.
And finally, April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It was initiated by The Conversation Project, which provides this great “What Matters to Me” workbook you can use with clients or loved ones.