Cemeteries are a place for us to come to terms with our own mortality.
"The cemetery garden will always be a natural place for us to come to terms with the reality of our mortality. It doesn't have to be a...
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Distant Light Death Doula Services
A life well-lived and a death well-planned.
Janet Clattenburg
Death Doula
janetgoncalves
Feb 243 min
Death euphemisms translated from other languages
If you are in the habit of reading obituaries, you will notice that there are lots of euphemisms for death used in the English language....
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janetgoncalves
Feb 182 min
Dead, death and dying euphemisms- what are they and why are they used?
Synonyms/euphemisms for the dreaded “D word” are often used in polite conversations. A quick search of some obituaries led me to these...
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janetgoncalves
Feb 161 min
Figurative language using death or dead
I was reflecting the other day of figures of speech phrases that include the words death or dead that are used commonly and came up with...
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janetgoncalves
Feb 103 min
Do you have a fear of attending funerals? Let me help you with that.
Attending a funeral is not for the faint hearted. It is normal to dread going to a funeral. Some people have a genuine fear of funerals...
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janetgoncalves
Feb 43 min
If I can’t attend a funeral in person, how can I show my respects to the family?
There are many reasons why someone can’t attend a funeral in person to pay their respects to the family. A funeral often occurs within a...
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janetgoncalves
Jan 263 min
Should children attend funerals?
In my role as a death doula I often get asked if children should attend funerals. Attending funerals can help with the grieving process,...
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janetgoncalves
Jan 192 min
Out of the mouths of (terminal) babes
I read an online article based on the Cape Town pediatrician, Alastair McAlpine, who gave some of his terminal patients an assignment....
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janetgoncalves
Jan 132 min
What is Complicated Grief and Do I Have It?
Death touches everyone. I can’t think of a single person in my life that hasn’t experienced a loss of a loved one (parent, sibling, other...
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janetgoncalves
Jan 72 min
Finding joy after loss by living a little now
We all know in our hearts that we may die tomorrow, so it’s important to live a little NOW. Do whatever it is that you have postponed and...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 30, 20234 min
January 1st is often a time for reflections and resolutions
The first of January often means many people reflect on the last year and make resolutions for the next. While reflecting, this may bring...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 23, 20231 min
Coping with Grief between Boxing Day and New Year's Day
It seems like when December 1st hits, the well wishes start and continue throughout the month. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 16, 20233 min
Winter Solstice and grief
The month of December on a calendar features many holidays and an endless parade of happy people enjoying the festivities. For those who...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 10, 20234 min
Christmas and Grief Part 2
Christmas holds traditions for many people, just as other holidays do. Grief around Christmas can come up for a variety of reasons, and...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 2, 20232 min
Christmas and Grief Part 1
Generally speaking, any holiday is a time for fellowship and friendship. For many bereaved families, it is also a time of year to...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 25, 20231 min
Condolence cards
This week marked the third death anniversary of my dad, which happened while COVID protocols and restrictions were in place by the...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 21, 20233 min
Tombstone Tourist
The term “Tombstone tourist” (or taphophile) describes an individual who has a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries, epitaphs,...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 10, 20233 min
Would you become a taphophile on Remembrance Day?
I’ve posted blogs mentioning my love of visiting graveyards locally and when travelling. I’m proud to be a taphophile. We are often...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 4, 20232 min
What would you write as an epitaph on your tombstone if you were limited to only 6 words?
Epitaphs provide those who have passed with a poetic or memorable inscription for those who visit the deceased to remember them by. For...
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janetgoncalves
Oct 26, 20232 min
Are you nervous about visiting someone who is dying and don’t know what to say?
Let’s face it, we all fear difficult conversations at the best of times, let alone trying to find the “right” words to say to someone...
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