Life, Death & Cake – 18 Minutes

Grief while facing loss can be paralyzing.  Death denial in the United States is commonplace.  Fear about dying in pain from a lingering illness, a lack of certainty about what happens to our physical presence, or how loved ones left behind will cope when we die makes it easier to simply avoid the conversation.Please join us for a presentation on Saturday, November 16th from 1pm - 4pm at New Thought Vermont, 614 Main Street in Weston.  Susan MacNeil will conduct a reading and book-signing, and Kasey March will provide resources and insight into her work as a death doula.Coffee, tea and cake will be available.  Adults 18+ are welcome.  While a RSVP is not required, it would be helpful to know if you plan to attend.  Please respond to this message or call 802/824-3810  or  802/384-3845.  There is no charge to attend; donations are welcomed.Susan MacNeil, author of 18 Minutes: A Daughter’s Primer on Life & Death, will share the experience of spending the last 18 minutes of her mother’s life while on a hospital phone that wasn’t amplified.  Kasey March is an end-of-life doula, a trained International End of Life Doula (INELDA) who serves as a person to help guide and console a dying person, their family and friends during transition toward death.  The conversation will offer a chance to talk about preparing for a good death through the lens of their own unique experiences.Sharing their insight, the session will provide a framework for others to join the conversation about all aspects of death and offer a deeper dive into specifics around the grief of end-of-life challenges and issues. The event is not intended to be a support group, although the conversation will be conducted in a compassionate, loving environment.  Information about how you can participate in the ‘Phones for Patients’ campaign, as a result of MacNeil’s experience, will also be available.For more information, find March and MacNeil on Facebook or through their websites: (www.DoulaCareforDying.com ) (www.authentic-voice-narration.com )

Books will be available for purchase or follow this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1892538016

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 Susan MacNeil is a writer, voiceover artist and longtime resident of southern NH and VT. As Executive Director of AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region for 15 years, she faced the deaths of clients and became familiar with the importance of designating last wishes. But when her mother died at age 90, she found she still was not ready to accept the task of grieving while serving as executor of her mother’s estate. Her book, 18 Minutes: A Daughter’s Primer on Life & Death, is the story of how she navigated this singular experience by following the roadmap her mother provided.

Kasey March is an International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) trained doula who provides open-hearted presence to the dying and their loved ones. After witnessing the deaths of several loved ones, she was inspired to help others to live their dying in the best way possible. Kasey believes that everyone deserves a good death and strives to work with clients to determine what that looks like for them and how to best accomplish that goal with the time and resources at their disposal.

Founded in 2004, New Thought Vermont (NTV) offers classes, workshops, discussion groups, retreats and seminars.  The primary purpose of NTV has been to form a community of like-minded people who come together to further wellbeing, meaning and resilience.