“Death and Her Compass”
Documentarist Annie Marr created this short feature on death doula Andrews ‘Bones’ Nelson, who reflects on matters of grief, mortality and the meaning she finds in giving comfort to the dying.
“What Tolstoy Knew About a Good Death”
Arthur C. Brooks writes for The Atlantic: So what if we were able to realize the benefit of facing death without it actually being imminent? Or, put another way: How can we use a positive acceptance of death to help us be more alive while we still have the most life left? In theory, we … Read more“What Tolstoy Knew About a Good Death”
Death and Dying According to the Church of Reality
The nontheistic Church of Reality offers words of practical wisdom regarding mortality, including the following principles of decisions involving death: Every Death is Unique – Every death is individual and unique. Rules and policies around death should be flexible to accommodate the wishes of the dying person and the person’s family. Wisdom should Prevail – … Read moreDeath and Dying According to the Church of Reality
“Why We Fear Death”
The Two Dudes Philosophy YouTube channel offers a cogent summary and analysis of Ernest Becker’s “Denial of Death” thesis.
Erik Davis on the Fact of Death as a Liberator
The reason you don’t know is because you’re going to die, and nobody is going to wrap their heads around death. You can’t do it. It’s impossible. You can’t conceive of your own death. You don’t know what it means. Any religious person who tells you, “Well, this has what happens when you die. When … Read moreErik Davis on the Fact of Death as a Liberator
The Sicilian Feast of the Dead
A short, informative presentation on the Festa dei Morti traditions of Sicily.
Ray Bradbury’s “The Halloween Tree”
Stephanie Pouliotte writes for Geek’d-Out! on the origins and various renditions of Ray Bradbury’s classic Halloween story: It’s an important holiday after all, one that allows us to freely explore our obsession with the macabre and the unexplained, to experience “the rawness and nearness and excitement of death” as Bradbury put it. And children, he … Read moreRay Bradbury’s “The Halloween Tree”
Memoria 2024
My Memoria symbolically began very early, with the inaugural Sky Meadow Mystery School event in Vermont; at that time there were just the first hints of change, tiny patches of russet in an arboreal sea of green, spreading almost imperceptibly during our magical week in the mountains. Now Fall has finally fallen; an exceptionally dry … Read moreMemoria 2024
“You Are Going to Die”: Oliver Burkeman’s “Four Thousand Weeks” and “Meditations for Mortals”
Hillary Kelly interviews author Oliver Burkemann for The Atlantic: Burkeman cheerfully acknowledges that repetition is vital to his message—and to the way we self-reinforce it. A favorite tweet, he told me with a hearty laugh, goes something like this: “Four Thousand Weeks is basically just Oliver Burkeman shouting You are finite; you’re going to die … Read more“You Are Going to Die”: Oliver Burkeman’s “Four Thousand Weeks” and “Meditations for Mortals”