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Is What We Do Part of Who We Are?
As deathworkers (people who work with death, dying, grief, loss and/or bereavement in some way), we find ourselves in a constant grey area. I'd argue that it's really difficult to find something truly cut-and-dry in deathwork. What works for one, won't always work for another. And what fails for one person, might be a perfect fit for someone else. As deathworkers, we visit with death as both a microcosm and a macrocosm. When we start to ponder the ethics of this work, questions about the individual deathworker's choices (the microcosm) sometimes are in conflict with the community at large, or broader society, perhaps (the macrocosm).
Have you ever thought much about the surge in True Crime Media over the last 5 years? Interest has grown so much that Apple created a True Crime specific category in its podcast library. As deathworkers, what do we think about the ethics of consuming true crime stories (prepared as entertainment) while also serving those who are figuring out life after loss? I wrote about it here. What do you think? Is part of what we do part of who we are? Is it OK to consume as entertainment the same thing you help others heal from?
All that said, hello 2021. The first week has already been a doozy. I hope you are taking care of yourselves, looking inward, and continuing to reach outward.
With Love, Cole Imperi
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What Our Alumni Are Up To
[Each month, we will spotlight a graduate and share what they're up to. If you'd like to be included, just reply to this email!]
Kalisto Zenda Nanen (he/they/ze)
Session 3 graduate–Listo (or ‘ready’ in Spanish as he’s affectionately known by family and friends) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Print & Broadcast Journalism and Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis on language; his final project focused on cemetery preservation at Missoula County Cemetery. Kalisto hosted a transgender death planning workshop with Ingersoll Gender Center in July and posts videos on his Instagram which highlights songs that are significant to deathcare.
Where do you see yourself a year from now?
"Continuing my education, providing disability advocacy resources around supporting community with disabilities in deathcare and legacy writing." -Kalisto Zenda Nanen
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It's Here! Introduction to Thanabotany
The Thanabotany track at the School of American Thanatology officially opens this year! Our Spring Season of classes begins Monday, April 6, 2021. You can early enroll in this course here. Enrollment is limited. You can use code BLOOM to take $70 off enrollment! (This code expires January 31, 2021 and is only for ThanaBee recipients.)
About the Course:
Thanabotany is where ethnobotany meets thanatology. Students will learn a general overview of what Thanabotany includes, applications of the field, challenges, and will review thanabotanical plant examples. This is a self-paced 8-week course offered online and includes video lectures, downloads, reading materials and is taught by Cole Imperi.
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Join Cole Each Week For Teacher Time
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This weekly time (every Thursday at 3pm Eastern) is available for free to students and alumni! The link to join is in Slack here.
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Monthly Continuing Education
Each issue, we'll share a few articles that have already been read and reviewed by our team. As Death Educators, we want to support you by providing information you can easily share with your own audiences and learn from yourselves.
Have an article or item we should review for a future issue? Just reply to this email.
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Grief, Balance & Burnout
Burnout is something that happens to you, in a consistent pattern and will remain until you've recharged—or so you've been told. Cole Imperi shares this piece to challenge the misconception that one's ways of grief, causes of burnout, and balancers are unchanging. In fact, these three are living, moving parts of ourselves that need attention and nurturing in different ways over time. Full article here.
Food for thought: In what ways do you feel burned out now, in what ways do you find balance? How were these triggers different for you last year, 5 years ago?
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Statistics on Caregiver Burnout
Although this article is specific to family caregivers, it holds value as an opportunity to evaluate personal experiences with burnout in various helping roles and as a guide to the gaps in care which death companions might fill.
- Caregiving is a long-term commitment: "The last phase of life is generally 4.5 to 5 years."
- Respite is rare: "About 85% of family caregivers in the U.S. do not receive any respite care."
- Stress and overwhelm are common: "Three-quarters of the respondents found it to be stressful, and more than half found it to be overwhelming."
- It is a labor of love: "Nine out of 10 caregivers surveyed said that even with all the burdens, caring for their loved one is worthwhile."
Food for thought: In what ways have you seen or experienced the burdens and joys of caregiving? In what ways can death companions help to mitigate stress and ensure rewarding feelings are maintained for caregivers?
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This month's Continuing Education section has been sourced and reviewed by Session 1 Death Companioning Community Crash Course alumni and current student at UMB in their Thanatology graduate certificate program, Layla Murphy (she/her).
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Researchers rejoice... Try Zotero
Are you a researcher, deathworker, or simply an avid learner? Does staying organized help you find balance? Zotero is a FREE research database with simple tools to help you tag, organize, and cite your growing library of resources. You can access Zotero through any web browser on any device or you can download one of the available third-party apps.
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What's New at the School
OUR SCHOOL CALENDAR
The School of American Thanatology operates on a 3-season year offering classes in a Winter season, Spring season, and Autumn season. In 2021, the Winter Season runs Monday, January 11, 2021–Friday, March 26, 2021; the Spring Season runs Monday, April 6, 2021–Friday, June 25, 2021; and the Autumn Season runs Monday, September 7, 2021–Friday, November 26, 2021. Each institution organizes itself around various traditions, precedents, and rituals and we have chosen a rhythm that includes time for rest (the months of July and December are quiet) and that reflects our values.
PRINTED CERTIFICATES
These will be here in February of 2021 (and not this month, as expected). All graduates who completed the requirements for a certificate have already received a digital certificate (go to "My Account" in the course to find yours). In the future, there will be an option to order a printed certificate. The printed certificates are special—they feature a bespoke marbled pattern exclusive to the school.
MERCH
There are stickers available that might inspire you! Tuck the "Resilient, Empathetic, Present" sticker on your water bottle or put the School Seal sticker in your planner. Take 50% off all stickers with code ADHESIVE through January 31, 2021.
OUR MOTTO
Do you know what the school motto translates to? In Vita Mors, In Morte Veritas translates to "In life there is death, in death, there is truth."
LAST MONTH'S GIVEAWAY
Congratulations to Ryan E. who won a bag of Rasa.
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