Forces of Nature - End of Life Doula and Funeral Celebrant Services

02/13/2025

💕 For those without their loved ones at the holiday - I see you and will hold space for the tender moments of remembrance you may need this week.

Many grieving people feel alienated by Valentine's Day, either because they've lost someone they love or because celebrating the day is a tonal switch their hearts can't maneuver. It's somewhat ironic because grieving people are often loving as hard, if not harder than they’ve ever loved before; it just so happens that the object of their love is gone in some way, shape, or form. 💔

Read the Article ➡️ https://whatsyourgrief.com/thoughts-on-valentines-day-grief/

11/28/2024

The holidays have a way of making grief feel heavier, whether this is your first year without them or your thirtieth.

I wanted you all to know that you are not alone… I am feeling it too. Sending you a little extra love and a hug if you want one. ❤️

xo
Gabby

10/05/2024

Not every loss can be transformed into something useful.

The reality of grief is different from what others see or guess from the outside. Platitudes and pat explanations will not work here.

There is not a reason for everything. Things happen that do not have a silver lining. We have to start telling the truth about this kind of pain. About grief, about love, about loss.

Because the truth is, in one way or another, loving each other means losing each other. Being alive in such a fleeting, tenuous world is hard. Our hearts get broken in ways that can’t be fixed.

There is pain that becomes an immovable part of our lives. We need to know how to endure that, how to care for ourselves inside that, how to care for one another.

We need to know how to live here, where life as we know it can change, forever, at any time. We need to start talking about that reality of life, which is also the reality of love.

Your survival in this life post-loss won’t follow steps or stages, or align with anyone else’s vision of what life might be for you. Survival won’t be found, can’t be found, in easy answers or in putting your lost life behind you, pretending you didn’t really want it anyway.

In order to survive, to find that life that feels authentic and true to you, we have to start with telling the truth. This really is as bad as you think. Everything really is as wrong, and as bizarre, as you know it to be.

When we start there, we can begin to talk about living with grief, living inside the love that remains.

For grief support & education resources visit refugeingrief.com and check out my first book, , available wherever you buy books. More info & ordering links at https://refugeingrief.com/book

04/16/2024

Happy National Healthcare Decisions Day!

NO, you DO NOT and SHOULD NOT wait until it is needed to put an Advanced Directive, Living Will or Healthcare Power of Attorney in place. I work with a national provider to guide you though completion of these critical documents and capture them electronically for you and your family to use when they are actually needed.

If you are interested in learning more, I will be offering this as a FREE service to those willing to help spread the word about the ease of the process and use of the platform. Your family will thank you for not leaving your wishes a mystery!

WHO IS INTERESTED? Drop me a private message on my personal or business FaceBook and we will schedule your appointment for completion!

01/22/2024

Your Mindful Monday Moment takes a pause to acknowledge the town of Perry in their period of grief over recent events. Our prayers for community continue!

In the weeks following the tragic events in the small Iowa community of Perry, I have observed the town through media coverage and stories passed down through residence. Having a relationship with the funeral home who ha...

12/25/2023

Being a part of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance is a learning and rewarding opportunity for me and I am excited to see what 2024 will bring for us. A special thanks to our President Ashley Johnson for my beautiful new coffee mug which was a fun surprise in the mail yesterday! Happy Holidays everyone 💚❤️💚❤️

12/18/2023

Check out my latest blog...Don't forget about your furry friends when making plans!
https://forcesofnaturehealing.com/f/having-a-plan-for-your-furry-friends?fbclid=IwAR0m10XGMnUbFjUOYXn94ywB3S1Fyt03HGI76fva6YGAPsZZ9UWzPfRB0MM

Forces of Nature is dedicated to securing the future of your family, which includes our cherished four-legged friends.

12/07/2023

I have the honor of helping host some of the best of the best when it comes to end of life care this evening. If you’ve ever been curious about how or what it takes to become an end of life doula you will not want to miss this session. Free and open to the public!

One of the most frequently asked questions by those interested in end-of-life work is, "What end-of-life doula training program do you recommend?” At our virtual open house, six National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) trainers will provide an overview of their training programs. You won't want to miss this opportunity. This event is open to members and nonmembers. Bring a friend!

Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81699775549?pwd=MmxjVnlCN1FyYkpxL2FJQXhWdEtBdz09

Meeting ID: 816 9977 5549

Passcode: 538349



Bridging Transitions Dr. Sarah Kerr, PhD - The Centre for Sacred Deathcare Going with Grace End of Life Planners HUMAN JOURNEY® (the-human-journey.com) International Doula Life Movement Narinder Elizabeth Bazen

11/30/2023

The Death Doula space is growing as more of us feel called to service for those in need. Check out this great read about returning us to our roots to care for our loved ones with more attention to personal wishes, ritual and compassionate care at all phases of the end-of-life.

Once, we were all death doulas. Deep down, we still are.

11/28/2023

Looking to learn more for yourself about the work of an end-of-life doula? Come hear from our doula trainers about each of their unique programs! No registration required and this session is open to the public, you do not have to be a member of NEDA to join this informational call!

One of the most frequently asked questions by those interested in end-of-life work is, "What end-of-life doula training program do you recommend?” At our virtual open house, six National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) trainers will provide an overview of their training programs. You won't want to miss this opportunity. This event is open to members and nonmembers. Bring a friend!

Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81699775549?pwd=MmxjVnlCN1FyYkpxL2FJQXhWdEtBdz09

Meeting ID: 816 9977 5549

Passcode: 538349



Bridging Transitions Dr. Sarah Kerr, PhD - The Centre for Sacred Deathcare Going with Grace End of Life Planners HUMAN JOURNEY® (the-human-journey.com) International Doula Life Movement Narinder Elizabeth Bazen

11/24/2023

This is what holding space with someone can look like, a beautiful way to provide guidance without answers, allowing someone to sit with their grief and questions and hopes with no expectation of outcomes - just a beautiful and meaningful tribute painted with the abundance and beauty of nature.

Ritual and ceremony are an important part of our journey here, and sadly we don’t take part in these beautiful practices as we used to. If you want to learn more, or need support in creating your own tributes - a doula can help, I can help. It is truly an honor for me to be asked to hold space for you and be a witness to your unique creation. 💜 credit to The Hospice Heart for sharing!

I recently did a ritual with a husband, who lost his wife a year ago. They were both in their forties, too young to deal with such loss, and heartache. He is raising their kids on his own, and doing a beautiful job.

I had him take a walk every day for seven days; collecting rocks, sticks, shells, flowers, and anything else that he could find in nature (not picking anything that was still living though) and he could also pick something from his home that called to him. On these walks, I asked him to think of messages he wanted to send his wife, the things he wanted her to know, and what he hoped she saw in him now.

After the seventh day we sat down together and made a mandala. We did not talk. I did not offer direction, advice, or comment. I sat quietly and watched as he placed the items where he felt they should go... thinking about the answers to the messages he wanted to send.

When he was done, I was witness to the most beautiful mandala. He was pleased with himself as well. I asked him if he sent his messages to her, and he said he had. I asked what he wanted to know most ... he said he hoped she would be proud of the way he has raised their boys.

A few days later, he sent me a message saying that he was saying goodnight to his boys doing a “three hug” which is what they call their group hug, and he felt as though she were there. He knew then... that his messages were received and that she was proud of him. ❤

I am big believer in ritual, and in sending messages to those we’ve said goodbye too... this one in particular really touched my heart, and I wanted to share it with you.

xo
Gabby

www.thehospiceheart.net

11/24/2023

I had to read this slowly and more than once to really let it settle in. I’ve often heard the saying “Grief in one hand, gratitude in the other” which feels like balance amongst the chaos at times…this resonated similarly to me. Thanks to DeathWives for sharing Martin’s writings and teachings - highly recommend!

“When you are praising the thing that you’ve lost, it’s called grief.
When you are grieving the thing that you’ve got, it’s called praise.
They are linked, inextricably. ”
-Martín Prechtel

(We shared this in a carousel yesterday, with a typo. It deserves its own moment)

If you have yet to discover the words of Martín Prechtel, we highly recommend you do. His teachings on grief and praise have been formative and as healing as anything along this journey.