The Heart of Hospice Podcast Guesting – Reclaiming Death: A Village Approach
When death is embraced, life becomes more vibrant.
There’s a way of caring for our dying that isn’t modern, but ancient. It’s not revolutionary—it’s remembered.
In a small ecovillage in North Carolina, where I lived for over two decades, six people died within a two-year span. They were beloved elders, neighbors, friends—ages two to ninety-eight. We didn’t have a plan at first. We didn’t even have experience. But we had the willingness to reclaim something lost: community-led care for the dying and the dead.
And what we discovered transformed us.
The dying taught us how to show up, fully and imperfectly. Mentors reminded us of traditions—home funerals, hands-on care, and heartfelt vigils. Our collective grief became the alchemy that bonded us. We dug graves. We cooked meals. We sat at bedsides. As concentric circles formed—some closer, others at the periphery—it became clear: death was never meant to be weathered alone.
If you’d like to hear more about that journey and how it’s led me to where I am now, please tune in:
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You can also listen to the full episode on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Lee Warren
Death & Tantra Educator
End-of-Life Preparation Coach
Caregiver Support Ally