What is “a good death”? How have you shown up to support others during the end of their lives?
During this self-study course we will explore these questions and more through the lens of privilege, identity, and bias.
Is this course for you?
Shifting Deathcare: Tools for a New Paradigm was created by five Black Women, for anyone showing up in the practice of deathcare in their wholeness to support others in theirs.
Course curriculum
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1
Welcome to Shifting Deathcare: Tools for a New Paradigm
- Getting Started!
- Meet Your Instructor Alua Arthur
- Welcome Video
- Welcome Video (ASL)
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2
Module 1: What is a Good Death for People on the Margins?
- Meet your Instructor Oceana Sawyer
- Module 1 Video
- Module 1 Video (ASL)
- Module 1 Quiz : What is a Good Death for People on the Margins
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3
Module 2: Words. Language. Impact.
- Meet Your Instructor Lashanna Williams
- Module 2 Video
- Module 2 Video (ASL)
- Module 2 Quiz : Words. Language. Impact.
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4
Module 3: Approaching BIPOC Death and Grief as a Guest
- Meet Your Instructor Joél Simone Anthony
- Module 3 Video
- Module 3 Video pt 1 (ASL)
- Module 3 Video pt 2 (ASL)
- Module 3 Quiz : Approaching BIPOC Death and Grief as a Guest
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5
Module 4: Understanding the Complexities of Grief
- Meet Your Instructor Alica Forneret
- Worksheet #1 : What have you learned about your own grief?
- Worksheet #2: Mapping your ecosystem
- Worksheet #3: What kind of support system can you be?
- Module 4 Video
- Module 4 Video (ASL)
- Module 4 Quiz: Understanding the Complexities of Grief
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6
Wrapping Up
- Conclusion Video
- Conclusion Video (ASL)
- Instructor Information
- Resource List
- Continuing Education Credit Contact Form
- Final Thoughts
Let's Get Started
Explore your willingness to learn, grow and change as we build a new paradigm for deathwork.
Instructors
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Alua Arthur
As a death doula, attorney, and professor, Alua Arthur is the Founder of Going with Grace, an end of life organization, which exists to support people as they answer the question “What must I do to be at peace with myself so I may live presently and die peacefully?” Over her unique 15 year career, the perspective Alua has gained allows her to help clients and audiences focus on the practical and emotional needs while contemplating the end of life. She has created and facilitated dozens of unique workshops to explore topics in end of life planning and inspired living. A jewelry addict and developing country aficionado, Alua is a thought leader in the field, tirelessly committed to bringing awareness to death and dying, and consequently increasing joy in life and living. -
Alica Forneret
Alica Forneret is a facilitator, writer, and Grief Guide who creates safe spaces for people to explore loss. She is fiercely committed to making sure that we have more conversations about grief, death, and dying - whether that’s at home, at work, or with strangers on the bus. Alica's work about how grief shows up in professional environments has been featured in the New York Times, LA Times, and Psychology Today. When she's not writing or developing customized grief resource plans for BIPOC, she volunteers her time as an Associate Board Member of Our House Grief Center and facilitates end-of-life events across The United States and Canada. -
Oceana Sawyer
Oceana Sawyer is an End of Life Doula with certifications from the University of Vermont and the Conscious Dying Institute. She is also a qualified facilitator of Living Funeral Ceremonies and member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA).
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Lashanna Williams
Lashanna (she/her) is, at her core, a helper; a doula, massage therapist and educator who merges formal education, ancestral knowledge, life experience, and all 6 senses to guide her care. With over 20 years of community care work Lashanna has roots deep in community education and activism. She is a member of the National End of Life Doula Association, African-American Health Council, National Black Doulas, American Massage Therapist Association, Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, Washington End of Life Coalition steering committee, and National Home Funeral Alliance Access & Equity Committee. She also is Director of the Board for A Sacred passing and a board member of the National Home Funeral Alliance. Lashanna is also a Washington State Health Advocate and End of Life Washington Client Advisor. -
Joél Simone Anthony
My name is Joél Simone Anthony. I am a licensed funeral director and sacred grief practitioner in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, I was raised in the heart of Gullah and Geechee culture. Spirituality has always been a huge part of my life and professional approach which is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom passed down from community elders, generation to generation. During my decade of service in the funeral service industry, I fashioned my unique background and professional experiences into a caliber and style of care and comfort that guides countless families toward healing through the exploration of alternative practices designed to help you navigate and heal through your journey with grief. It is my life's work to educate everyone –regardless of faith, race, age, or status – that death, dying and grief are sacred and transformative to our journeys as human beings.
This course is NOT ‘Black Deathcare 101’.
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It IS an opportunity for all people to gain a better understanding of some of the challenges that people face at the end of life who are marginalized in the current and historic context of systemic racism that pervades all of our institutions.
Get Started Today
This is only the beginning. We hope you will join.
FAQ
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Who can receive Continuing Education credit?
This course is a APFSP accredited course for .5 credits (5hours of credit). The credit is only for Licensed Funeral Directors and Embalmers in the states that accept APFSP certified courses. (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Wisconsin)
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Can I take this course if I am not interested in continuing education?
Yes, this course is for anyone in the death and dying community.
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What content will I receive in this course?
Shifting Deathcare: Tools for a New Paradigm is a 6- module course, including teaching videos (30-60 minutes each), and end module quizzes. Additional resources, worksheets, and self-reflections are also included.
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Is this course accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing?
Yes, the course videos are offered with closed captioning and ASL translations.
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How long will I have access to the course?
You will have access to the course content for 6 months after your enrollment date. If you need more time to complete the course, we are happy to give an extension on a case by case basis.
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Have a question that wasn't answered?
Email grace@goingwithgrace.com and we will be happy to assist you.