Recently The Colorado Springs Gazette attended one of our local Death Cafes! My favorite quote “”Hi, I’m Lauren, and I like death and living, a lot,” said Lauren Carroll, 33-year-old mother of two and an expert on alternative funeral rituals. Admitting to liking death in most settings is likely to provoke raised eyebrows, but Carroll did it howdy-style, with a big smile and a wave.”

Check out the article here! http://gazette.com/death-caf-urges-lively-embrace-of-topic-most-choose-to-avoid/article/1626303

Three years ago I attended a funeral for a friend. The service was at a traditional funeral home in town and I ended up striking up a conversation with the funeral director, Jon, as ex-funeral directors do. I told Jon I had left the industry for many reasons but my focus was on no embalming, and home funerals with families first. He listened very politly as I told him more about my wacky ways.

Embalming is sort of the holy grail in the funeral industry. You are taught to create this lasting image of peace and slumber for families,  and we do that with very toxic chemicals and heavy cosmetics. If that alone sounds pleasing you should see the actual embalming process. I only assisted in two embalmings during my career and I called my loved ones afterwards and told them there was no way I, or anyone I cared for, would ever be embalmed.  To say the least I am anti-embalming and that made me a renegade in the funeral industry, until now.

I stayed in touch with the Jon over the years and a few months ago he messaged me. His life had been forever changed and he was leaving the funeral home he was at and starting his own green funeral home, no embalming allowed. All green, from the business cards to the caskets, even the cremation urns would be bio-degradable. I was floored, I was over joyed, and beyond anything I thought….finally. So what brought along such a profound change? Well, death.

Jon is a third generation funeral director who has preformed 1,000’s of embalming, but never in all those years had he actually kissed one of the embalmed descendents. I mean, why would he? That’s just weird. But this summer his Uncle died. His uncle, who was also a funeral director, was embalmed for his viewing, as is traditionally done. Jon attended the viewing and kissed his uncle on the forehead….and it happened. Jon stepped back from the casket and tasted the familiar smell he had been around for years. Embalming fluid. He shuddered at the taste of chemicals and preservatives and thought to himself, How many other families have done the same thing? Of the 1,000’s of bodies how many times did he see someone lean over that casket and kiss their loved one for a final time only to be left with that taste in their mouth? Jon had his “Aha moment” and emailed me to let me know.

Yesterday, Return to Nature, opened its doors to the public. A 100% green funeral home. There is no embalming (not even that “green” embalming fluid funeral homes have tried to push) The body returns to nature free from harmful chemicals. No steel caskets will sold, no concrete vaults, and the families still have time to view and honor their loved ones, without embalming. Cremation is always an option as well, and instead of getting that ugly black plastic box families will receive the cremated remains in a biodegradable urn.

I am so proud of Jon and the Hallford family. The world needs more movers and shakers. Big changes are happening and will continue to happen if we make it. Speak up, let your voices be heard! Cheers to green funerals and the future of death care!

 

 

Please take some time to listen to this interview with the wonderful Rabbi Mel HERE 

And check out Rabbi Mel’s site and books at  Grief OK 

As this year comes to an end I love looking back and reflecting on where I was and where I am now. This year was full of high highs and some very low lows but one of my proudest achievements came this fall when I was elected as a Board Member to the National Home Funeral Alliance. These woman are my hero’s and mentors and this year I was told I was one of them. My heart is full and I look forward to continuing this powerful movement and educating across the globe on the sacred and healing act of holding a home funeral. Cheers to a new year and continued blessings for you all!

It always seems to take us by surprise when a human body throws off its mortal coil.

And in the wake of death, families more often than not leave all the funeral arrangements to the professionals. Lauren Carroll, a former funeral director, wants people to know there’s another option – keeping the death and funeral inside the home.

“It’s Earth-friendly and it will save you thousands of dollars, but it’s the healing of it that is the true benefit,” said Carroll, a home funeral educator and founder of Returning Home, a local nonprofit organization through Pikes Peak Community Foundation that provides educational workshops and training for future home funeral advocates. She acts as a consultant for families who want to pursue a home funeral option.

“Of all the home funerals there has never been a single complaint of, ‘That was horrifying and not what I wanted.’ But that has happened with funeral homes. Death is a natural part of life. I tell people I honor death because I love life so much. You can’t live a full life without knowing that death is at the end.”

You can read the rest of the article HERE 

There is nothing that brings me more joy than teaching. This is such a special and sacred act to share with the community and I look forward to many more workshops and the social change thats come with them.

Home Funerals are legal in every state (With 9 requiring a funeral homes assistance) And embalming is NEVER required.

Home Funerals can save you thousands of dollars (Currently a traditional  funeral will cost you $7,300 in the U.S.)

You can honor your loved one with a personal and unique service in their own home.

Home funerals are good for the Earth! Currently,each year, in the U.S. we bury 30 million board feet of hardwood, 1.6 tons of reinforced concrete, 104,272 tons of steel, and 827,000 gallons of embalming fluid. And, no, none of that is Earth friendly materials.

You have time to sit and grieve with your loved one in a place you feel safe and comfortable. There is no RUSH in death and grief