Unique products made from cremated ashes of loved ones (pets and humans)
When I taught Grade 5 Science in Ontario, one of the units focused on the 3 R’s and the impact of waste items on the environment. The...
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Distant Light Death Doula Services
A life well-lived and a death well-planned.
Janet Clattenburg
Death Doula
janetgoncalves
Jan 9, 20234 min read
Eco-friendly post-death options
When I taught Grade 5 Science in Ontario, one of the units focused on the 3 R’s and the impact of waste items on the environment. The...
2 views0 comments
janetgoncalves
Jan 3, 20233 min read
“Everyone eventually walks this path; no one need walk it alone.”
I recently had to update my bio for the End of Life Doula Association of Canada, of which I am a member. There are 5 of us serving the...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 27, 20221 min read
Reframing "Happy New Year"
It seems like when December 1st hits, the well wishes start and continue throughout the month. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy...
1 view0 comments
janetgoncalves
Dec 18, 20221 min read
Sometimes it’s the little things that we remember most at this time of year
I had to make a quick run into a grocery store to pick up some whole raw cranberries which were an essential ingredient in a new recipe I...
3 views0 comments
janetgoncalves
Dec 14, 20224 min read
A 6-year old’s answer to a riddle was so much deeper
I came across a recent article that caught my eye, both as a former teacher and as a death doula. A teacher started the school day with a...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 11, 20222 min read
Death pyramids vs cemeteries as a final resting place
According to the article published on November 14, 2022, by www.labible.com, “London had plans for a 'death pyramid' that would have been...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 7, 20222 min read
To Vigoda is not a good thing
While it seems like it should go without saying, when posting about a death on social media, it’s especially crucial to make sure your...
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janetgoncalves
Dec 4, 20223 min read
“We share a bond even without ever meeting one another, because we share in having lost a parent.”
“We share a bond even without ever meeting one another, because we share in having lost a parent.”- Prince Harry, 2022 I recently read...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 30, 20221 min read
There’s a (death) app for that
Nowadays, there seems to be an app for almost anything. If we look back in history it all began with Apple in 2009, who started using the...
1 view0 comments
janetgoncalves
Nov 27, 20223 min read
How can children expect to learn that death is a normal part of life if it kept hidden from them?
There have been several news articles posted recently online regarding popular television host Jonnie Irwin. One article, published on...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 23, 20223 min read
Applauding Mr. Chris Hemsworth’s journey into the death positive movement
I was intrigued by a recent article regarding Mr. Chris Hemsworth who is taking a break from acting to spend time with his family. I...
1 view0 comments
janetgoncalves
Nov 20, 20223 min read
Coping with pet loss
A few days ago, I received a text from a former family member informing me that "Echo Babyfur", at age 14, was "not doing well”- not...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 17, 20223 min read
How would you live your life if you found out you only had three weeks to live?
“Georgia Byrd spent her life dreaming of possibilities. Until the day fate changed everything” teases the official trailer of 2006 movie,...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 14, 20223 min read
Feeling clumsy in your grief? You and Ashley Judd are in the same boat!
I stumbled across the article “Ashley Judd Breaks Leg Again, Citing 'Clumsiness' After Mom Naomi's Death: 'It Allowed Me to Grieve’ by...
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janetgoncalves
Nov 10, 20223 min read
Death isn’t contagious but you can fear dying
It’s inevitable whenever you are being introduced to someone new that they innocently ask what you do as part of small talk. I answer...
1 view0 comments
janetgoncalves
Nov 8, 20223 min read
Some insights on the decline of death awareness over the last century
Before there were coroners and funeral directors, it was normal for families and communities to take care of the deceased. People died at...
2 views0 comments
janetgoncalves
Nov 5, 20224 min read
Why We Need to Think and Talk about Death
On the morning of October 18th, I was listening to the CBC radio’s interview with Dr Bigham regarding his new book “Death Interrupted,...
2 views0 comments
janetgoncalves
Nov 4, 20224 min read
Why it is so important to “Write About Death”
On the morning of October 18th, I was listening to the CBC radio’s interview with Dr Bigham regarding his new book “Death Interrupted,...
2 views0 comments
janetgoncalves
Nov 1, 20224 min read
What was Tom Sawyer’s “proudest moment of his whole life” and why you can experience the same thing.
In 1902, Mark Twain published “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. The protagonist, Tom Sawyer is believed to be dead, and a funeral (without...
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