Samsara End-of-Life Services

03/24/2026

Excellent resource!

If you’re looking for handmade funeral goods, there’s a great resource many people don’t know about.

The Funerary Artisans Collective (funeraryartisanscollective.org) is a directory of independent craftspeople who create environmentally conscious funeral vessels and products.

These small makers offer things like woven or wooden caskets, linen shrouds, burial trays, urns, and other items designed for natural burial. Many also take requests for custom pieces.

Most of the work is made with responsibly sourced materials like cotton, wool, linen, soft woods, bamboo, willow, and seagrass.

You can search the site by product or browse the “Meet the Makers” section to discover artisans creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces.
It’s a nice reminder that funeral care doesn’t always have to come from big corporations.

If you're a creator, go to their site and submit to be listed!

02/08/2026

Partnering with Spirit Pieces Unique Memorial Art. Beautiful objects and such unique designs! On my Resource page at Samsaraendoflife.com

02/06/2026

Headed to do a closing ritual with a family.

01/08/2026

All true. Take a breath. Honor your person.

This is what it can look like after someone dies on hospice at home.
An empty bed.
A quiet room.
Lights off because nothing else needs doing yet.

Death doesn’t immediately trigger urgency the way movies suggest.
There is time.
As they teach us in death doula classes, "Put the kettle on...". There is time.

After death, hospice will confirm it, either in person or by phone, depending on your care plan and the state rules. Once death is pronounced, the body is legally allowed to remain in the home for hours. You are not required to call the funeral home right away.

Here are some things that may happen in that space between death and removal and all of them are normal:

• The body will begin to cool
• The skin may become pale or mottled
• The jaw may relax and the mouth may open slightly
• The eyes may remain partially open
• There may be small releases of air or fluid
• The room may feel very still, emotionally and physically

You can take this time if you want it.
You can sit on the bed.
You can hold their hand.
You can wash their face, brush their hair, say prayers, talk to them, or say nothing at all.
You can open a window.
You can let the room be exactly as quiet as it needs to be.

There is no rush unless you want there to be one.

When you’re ready, hospice or the funeral home will handle the next steps. Until then, this space belongs to you, not paperwork, not timelines, not logistics.

No alarms.
No countdown.
Just the pause after a life has ended and before the world starts moving again.

If you’ve never seen this part before, that’s okay.
Most people haven’t.

12/31/2025

We have just passed this here in Minnesota. Let’s go Utah!

It’s time to take action to legalize human composting (aka natural organic reduction) in Utah. Follow the link in bio to email your state senators. (You’d be amazed how influential a bunch of emails from supportive citizens can be.)

Natural organic reduction is a safe and proven alternative to cremation or burial.
The option offers significant savings in pollution and emissions over other funeral methods. It is a natural process and, as such, often appeals to individuals who have ties to the land, whether as gardeners, farmers, or families who have lived on their homesteads for generations.

Utah lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would legalize natural organic reduction as an option for funeral care. The bill for 2026, SB 49 Funeral Services Amendments, sponsored by Senator Jen Plumb - - would allow families to choose human composting as a lawful, regulated form of disposition and take effect on May 6, 2026.

Supporters of the bill have been told that senators have “heard from no one wanting this option.” Let’s show them that the people want this!

Now is the time to speak up to help make human composting an option for residents of Utah. A short, thoughtful email can make a difference—especially as lawmakers are gauging public interest.

Click on the link in bio for a super easy how to, and thank you for being part of our legislative advocacy work! 📝

12/12/2025

Finally! Come on Minnesota get with the program!

🥳We did it, Illinois! Governor Pritzker just signed The Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (SB 1950), aka Deb’s Law, into law! ✍️

We are incredibly grateful for all of our storytellers, including the bill’s namesake Deb Robertson, advocates and volunteers, our staff, Gov. Pritzker, and supportive lawmakers who worked tirelessly to make medical aid in dying a reality in the Land of Lincoln.

This makes Illinois the 13th U.S. jurisdiction to affirm the rights of terminally ill adults to die peacefully on their own terms.

11/27/2025

Good tips to remember for the holidays laced with grief. Take care of yourself. ❤️

Some reminders for Thanksgiving
Thank you to What’s Your Grief

09/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JZnqNo2VA/?mibextid=WC7FNe

08/20/2025

07/30/2025

Ever thought about becoming an end of life doula? Join Kate Wolfe for this important training!

07/24/2025

Funerals and memorials don’t have to be traditional. Making them personal is the magic touch.

07/16/2025

Some really great ideas for headstones.

Taking time to carefully consider how to design a headstone that showcases a special someone is important—and we're here to help with personalization ideas.