June News and Updates
Keeping the conversation going.
The Cariboo Community Deathcaring Network and Natural Burial in BC are advocating for the inclusion of Green Burial in Williams Lake, British Columbia. We have identified that Green Burial options are a priority for many residents of Williams Lake and neighbouring communities. Currently, there are just two disposition options available at the Williams Lake Municipal Cemetery. The cemetery offers cremation or a traditional casket burial with a mandatory fiberglass vault.
We would like to include natural burial as the third option.
If this is important to you, please sign the petition.
For more information on what our petition is all about, visit Green Burial BC.
Our most recent DEATH CAFE
Thanks to everyone who came out for our March 13th Death Cafe. Another great turnout (28 people) and such good and real conversations. I love these community gatherings. I always come away feeling more awake to life. They reaffirm for me how important and vital it is to talk about death. Thanks again for coming and sharing your stories, your questions, and your insights.
These events are done.
Stay tuned for our next Death Cafe in late June.
Date and time to be announced.
Think of it as a 'guided' Death Cafe
Thursday, April 4th 5:30 to 7:30
at the Library in Williams Lake
In light of national Advance Care Planning Day coming up on April 16th ~ On Thursday, April 4th, 5:30 to 7:30 at the Library, we are offering a more structured evening using the 'Hello Conversation Game'.
"It is a safe, easy and enjoyable way to start meaningful conversations around our personal wishes for living well until the end. These conversations help us have our healthcare wishes known and respected even when we cannot speak for ourselves."
Maximum 18 participants, please Sign up for this Free Event. Email nicola@deathtalk.ca
It's always too soon, until it's too late.
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING Workgroup
Tuesday, April 16th, 5:30 to 7:30
at the Library in Williams Lake
Nicola Finch nicola@deathtalk.ca
Angela Gutzer angela@deathtalk.ca
An Advance Care Plan is about making a plan for your future health care while you’re still able to make health care decisions for yourself. The goal is to write down our wishes when we're healthy and active.
An official hard copy 'Planning Guide' will be given to participants. The online version is here: My Voice; Advance Care Planning Guide.
This is an opportunity to work through some of the rough patches in your ACP, ask questions, talk through what's stopping you from getting it done. Have you had 'the conversation' with your family? Join us on April 16th.
OUR VISION
for the Cariboo Chilcotin.
- A Woodland Burial Ground for people and pets
- A building, a Gathering place
- A Tumulus, a Stone Barrow for the safekeeping of Ashes in Urns
- A Secular and Sacred place to come together in community and to remember our beloved dead.
Organizing our local participation in the National SWAN SONG FESTIVAL
Swan Song Festival across Canada, Oct 19th, 2019.
We are planning an event here in Williams Lake!
Community Deathcare Canada is launching the first annual Swan Song Festival across Canada, Oct 19th, 2019
Join us in creating a local event: a death parade, a Death dinner, a Death poetry night, a cemetery walk, Death sidewalk graffiti cafes, a storytelling night of those dying and those grieving. Anything you can imagine.
Interested in being involved? We'd love to hear from you! Email Nicola or Angela and watch for notice of our first brainstorming get together.
Read our Swan Song article in the latest issue of the Green Gazette.
by Angela Gutzer, with a Natural Burial PS by Nicola Finch. Festival of art, theatre, dance ... celebrating life through Death Link to Article
Have you read the Death Cafe article
in the Williams Lake Tribune?
by Monica Lamb-Yorski
Death café explores the topic with ease and openness
Angela Gutzer and Nicola Finch bring compassion to the conversation Link to Article
Link to Resources
Cariboo Community Deathcaring Network
Resources for Williams Lake,
the Cariboo-Chilcotin and BC Interior
Photo: Soda Creek Cemetery
Douglas College
Coming to Williams Lake July 8th through 12th, 2019
The End-of-Life Doula Certificate (BREV 1100) provides a non-credited college certificate for people wishing to provide quality end-of-life care to people who are dying and for their families.
End-of-Life Doulas are advocates for their clients and complement the work of the medical community and hospice-palliative care workers and volunteers. End-of-Life Doulas assist clients in creating and carrying out their health-care treatment decisions, as well as providing support to clients and their family and friends.
This certificate program has been developed with oversight of an advisory committee that includes representatives from the BC Centre for Palliative Care, the Camp Kerry Society and experienced palliative-care social workers. Click here to see the detailed Course Outline
About Us
Cariboo Community Deathcaring Network
Entrepreneur and Death Doula; Nicola Finch
Veterinarian and Death Doula; Angela Gutzer
Nicola Finch
'driver'
Nicola brings her leadership skills and online expertise to the Network along with decades of involvement with deathcaring personally and professionally. She has a particular interest in death literacy through education. She took her Death Doula training through Douglas College.
Email 778-765-1552
Angela Gutzer
'dream keeper'
Angela is transitioning from her 11-year career as a veterinarian to pursue her passion for holistic deathcaring of people and pets. She currently works as a locum at various locations throughout BC. Angela has a particular interest in guiding families through the home funeral process. She completed ITM’s extensive Contemplative End of Life Care Program.
Email 250 267 4636
Advance Care Planning Workgroup
Was held April 16th, at the Williams Lake Library
