The role of the death midwife from the final breath through the 3-day home vigil, funeral and final disposition.
Sacred Crossings upholds that the dying process doesn't end with the last breath, but extends for a period of up to three days.
During this time, the soul, spirit or what is often referred to as the 'luminous body' separates from the physical and transitions to the next phase of its journey. A home vigil offers loved-ones the chance to integrate the loss into their lives and begin their own transformation process moving forward.
This 3-day workshop offers instruction in final rites at the time of death and the legalities and logistics of holding a vigil and funeral at home.
Rev. Olivia, founder of the Sacred Crossings Institute and Funeral Home, shares over 16 years of experience as a home funeral guide with stories, information, demonstrations and powerful images and film clips.
Instruction includes preparation and preservation of the body, shrouding, ICU death-bed rituals, bringing the baby home after stillbirth, coroner cases; accident and traumatic death.
“After the Last Breath went way beyond my expectations. Olivia draws on a wealth of wisdom and experience to provide hands-on demonstrations, centering meditations, nuts and bolts of burial options and death care protocols, ethics, and an overall welcoming enriching discussion space. I am so grateful for the entire experience!” - Fran Grace
Topics Explored
Unexpected death: holding space in the ER
After-death rites and rituals, and sealing the chakras
Benefits, legalities and logistics of the home vigil and funeral
Preparation of the body (bathing, dressing, anointing)
Laying the body in honor
Stillbirth/infant death: bringing the baby home
The death midwife kit
Shrouding
Options for final disposition
After-death traditions
Completing the Death Care Directive
Self-care for caregivers: preventing burnout
"The beauty of the act of caring for the dead is breathtaking – I now understand how sacred this work is, it is truly an honor." - Bruna Amaral
Schedules are in Pacific Standard Time – PST
Webinar
Friday 1:00 PM – 7:30 PM PST
Saturday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST
Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST
In-Person Levels III and IV Intensives
Thursday - Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST
Register for the Spring 2023 Webinar Course
Our fall 2023 courses will be offered as intensives
Two levels of our trainings will be condensed into four-day workshops and offered via webinar and in-person.
Our Death Midwifery certificate training will consist of both Levels III and IV.
Please select the course of your choice to register.
After the Last Breath is also Level III of The Art of Death Midwifery.
“This workshop not only met my expectations but it went far beyond into the depths of my soul. Olivia has a beautiful way of weaving the practical with deep spiritual wisdom amongst her teaching.“ - Alexi Hedlund
