SOS Asheville

Report #: 10

Name of Topic:  Death , a Natural Part of Living                  

Name of Leader: Brenda Chunn

Names of Participants: Chris Weaver, Kathy Marth

Previous story regarding this topic if there is one:

When I was 27, my parents died within 3 months of each other, my father first.  My mother died at home.  My sister and I moved in and took care of her.  It was the worst and best part of my life.  My perspective of what’s important became very clear.  I did not ever want to be in this position again unprepared.  That thread has been a part of the fabric of my life.

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding):

Currently, I’m involved in a death midwifery group. We are a small group interested in being midwives to those in the process of dying, to provide a natural environment for patients, family and friends.  We have lost the naturalness of the death process and our ability to see it as a rite of passage.

Future Action/Next Steps:

Green burial in green burial cemetery or on conservation land.

Death midwivery service to those in the process of dying.

Invite those that may be interested in green burial to a meeting.

Note: Green burial is burying without embalming and burial in bio-degradable, non-toxic materials.

Green Burial

“Worms crawl in!”

Champion:  Brenda Chunn

Interested People:  Chris Weaver, Mountaine Jonas, Kathy Marth, Linda Metzner (sings, has group)

Future Action:  Already planned a 4-session Workshop on Death, Dying, & Taking care of the body after death.  Legal questions about Green Burial is a part of this.

Next Steps: 

Meeting in August to discuss possible public meeting

Research:

• A green burial place

Private Green Burial cemetery
Conservation Land

Resources Required:

A place to meet.

People interested.