Saturday Mournings: Exploring Death & Grief
This group explores death and grief as we experience it in our lives. In our current society, death is practically a taboo subject despite being inevitable for each of us. How do we prepare for it? How do we survive loss? How do we heal in a society that expects us to recover from grief as soon as the funeral is over?
Everyone will experience death and grief in a lifetime: the death of a parent, a child, a friend, or a spouse. Understanding death and accepting grief won’t make the losses easier, but they can help us prepare and heal.
Through creative play with paper, scissors, and glue, this group will focus on sharing knowledge, experience, support, and compassion.
Each week we will discuss topics from advanced directives to celebrating holidays after a family member has died. Participants will be provided with a journal and all the materials needed to fill it with whatever words and pictures feel right to them.
This group will benefit those who are caregivers, those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, or those who want to be prepared for their own death.
Participants are not required to come every Saturday, however only those who participate on the first Saturday can continue for the six-week class. This ensures a comfortable and safe environment that allows individuals to share experiences if and when they are ready.
Class dates: 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15 and 11/22.
Dusty Rademacher, MSW, LSW
Dusty brings over 25 years of experience as an educator and social worker, dedicating her life to support individuals and families through life's most profound transitions. Currently serving as a hospice social worker and death doula, Dusty provides holistic, non-medical support to those nearing the end of life, as well as to their loved ones.
Dusty's approach is grounded in presence, compassion, and deep respect for each person's unique journey. She offers individualized care that may include emotional support, education, guidance in comfort care practices, and companionship for both the dying and their families. Dusty believes that honoring death is an essential part of honoring life--and that death care is community care.
Grace Blanchard, RN
Grace Blanchard is a retired nurse with an extensive background in hospice care. Throughout her career she provided education and support for healthcare professionals, patients, and families dealing with death and grief. Nursing, especially hospice nursing, is emotionally exhausting work. Years ago Grace discovered creative play with paper, scissors, and glue could calm her mind and refresh her spirit. The craft table became a sacred space. Grace is bringing together her experience in nursing and art to “Saturday Mourning,” a group that uses creative play to navigate the path of death and grief.