Mynah Bird Death Services

10/20/2025

Yesterday was my talk on Colonial burial practices and grave art with Ulster County Historical Society!

I'm deeply grateful for them being willing to give me a space to speak. I ended up going about 45 minutes over the allotted time because the folks who attended had some excellent questions and discussion on colonial vs modern burial practices. I was so deeply impressed with how engaged everyone was given how difficult it is to get folks to talk about death.

Do you have an organization that you would want to see me speak with? Put me in touch, let's chat

10/09/2025

Join me on Sunday October 19 from 2-3:30 for a talk on Colonial grave art and burial practices!

Presented by the Ulster County Historical Society, this is a donation based (suggested donation $15) salon with sign up requested in advance.

What did a “proper” funeral look like in colonial Hurley? How have our rituals of grief, remembrance, and burial changed—and what remains surprisingly familiar? Join Miranda J Voronoy, INELDA-train…

10/03/2025

Quick question!

What's your funeral song?

We lost my grandfather in August and the drive away from his grave was set to Ghost Riders in the Sky. My funeral plan involves Dance in the Graveyards by Delta Rae.

What's yours?

09/29/2025

One of the services I'm willing to perform is collecting the remains of little ones from funeral homes if their parents simply cannot face doing it.

I brought home my smallest nephew today and am Viscerally reminded why I offer this for others.

The tiny boxes are the heaviest ones and I don't blame a single parent who can't face lifting it alone. Lil man rode home in Auntie's lap and was the single most difficult pick up I have ever had the honor and privilege of doing.

07/30/2025

"Auntie Mynah, you say death care shouldn't be behind a paywall so you work sliding scale. What if I have no money?"

My beloved flock. When I say I understand I mean I have avoided homelessness and starvation by the grace of the friends I've made. More than once.

When I tell you I work on a sliding scale I mean I work on an old school rural doctor pay scale. Which, for those unfamiliar, means barter is 100% on the table.

No money BUT willing to put me up and feed me the whole time I'm there? Let's talk.

No money BUT you have this skill you're willing to do for me in exchange? Sounds fair to me my darling.

Broke but there's this Thing you have that I need and can't afford but you're willing to part with? We have a bargain.

This is my company my loves. This is my livelihood. That doesn't mean money is the only form of compensation that's valid. Make me an offer. Help me help you and your loved ones.

07/27/2025

Did you know I offer companion animal death doula services as well?

Our pets are important to us. They're family too. Behold a recent article discussing how we see our dogs and the areas of the brain that light up when we do.

So of course their loss ought be taken just as seriously as the loss of human family. Don't be afraid to reach for support ❤️

We all have at least one friend that treats their dog like an actual human child. Scientists think you shouldn't be a hater: There’s 20,000 to 40,000 years of evolution causing them to behave that way.

06/10/2025

My loves! My beloved flock! Medical Aid in Dying has just passed the NYS Senate! We're so close! We just need the governor to sign and then you will have the choice and option to leave on your own terms in New York State(where I am based).

I have advocated for this since Terry Shrivo in the 90s when I was younger than 10. This is a momentous victory in the right to death with dignity and Yes I am already trained to assist if this is a decision you wish to make.

Please, if you have any questions about what MAiD is and isn't? Reach out! I would be thrilled to answer any questions you may have.

06/08/2025

Happy Pride my beloved flock ❤️

As a reminder Mynah Bird Death Services LLC is owned and operated by a q***r woman and is aggressively trans supporting and affirming on top of that.

Please make sure you have everything in writing. Including what name to be remembered under.

06/07/2025

Do you support MAiD (medical aid in dying)? Do you live in New York? If so the Senate is voting on allowing MAiD in NYS this coming Monday June 9.

Choices New York is organizing a demonstration at the Capital in support of the bill, I'll be there with bells on and Tulio the grief support pup.

Will you join us?

05/14/2025

Death is a relationship crucible.

It has a way of showing you who is dedicated to their relationship with you and who is not.

This is not to say that your loved ones need to drop everything every time you have a loss. Having their own lives and needs doesn't automatically mean they don't care about you.

Do they check in? Do they hold space for your grief? Do they acknowledge the loss? Do they act with compassion for you?

Those are the folks you want to keep my loves. Even if others 'do more' or are more closely related to you. If someone is bringing you a casserole (the traditional post death community offering where I'm from) but guilt you the whole time they're with you? They're not supporting you.

Dearest flock, it is ok to hold people at a distance after loss, especially if they're not able to honor your grief with compassion.

05/14/2025

Death and Children

One of the biggest reoccurring questions I get is 'how do I explain this to my child?' it doesn't matter what the loss is, human or animal, recent or trying to explain why they haven't met a family member. We're terrified of introducing the concept of death to our little ones. We want to protect them from the existence of it, let them live in a world without it for as long as they can.

My loves, my flock, be honest with them. Be age appropriate, of course, but euphemisms like 'went to sleep' or 'went to heaven' bring follow up questions and fears. Just be honest and compassionate.

Yes, this loved one is gone. We can and should remember them, and charish those memories, but they aren't going to physically come back like they used to be. And it's alright to be sad and scared. But. We loved them, and they loved us. And now we say goodbye with as much love as we can. Because eventually everyone's life ends. And that's ok.

Then, and this is the important part, let them grieve and process. However they're going to do that. There's no wrong way for them to grieve, nor you for that matter.

04/21/2025

Pope Francis passed this morning.

May he find peace in the God he dedicated his life to serving. And may the church remember his guidance in choosing his successor.