Summer Reading

My summer reading book is, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, by Caitlin Doughty.
A copy was given to me. I’ve wanted to read it for a while. Caitlin discusses death and grief and how society has sterilized and hidden death. She writes beautifully about her experience working in a crematorium- her thoughts, history of death, rituals and her encounters with both dead and living.
A wonderful read to demystify the inevitable.
Honestly, if I wasn’t a hypnotherapist, the funeral industry would be my next career choice.
After my first husband died, a widow and mortician, Carleen Helgison, befriended me. I learned so much from her!
The folks at the local funeral home also were very open to talking and answering questions.
In America death is sterilized. In most othe countries it is embraced as part of life.
At the cemetery, 3 of my step children stayed to see how things were done after the committal service. Having disabilities, I wondered how they would react. As the covering were moved from the ground, they were over joyed to see their mom's cremation box! They had many questions and were excited about what they got to see!
Helping people navigate grief is a passion of mine. Aside from birth, death is one of the most sacred moments of a persons life.