Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Bryan Rigg, founder of Axios Consulting, about what happens when Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) isn’t available where you live. After helping a close family member access MAiD through Dignitas in Switzerland, Bryan created a consulting practice that now supports others in navigating the emotional, legal, and logistical journey of seeking MAiD abroad. Together, they disucss what it takes to prepare for this path, how laws limit access, and what it means to say goodbye with intention. Key takeaways include: Why current MAiD laws exclude people with conditions like ALS, dementia, and heart failure What families face when traveling internationally for end-of-life care The role of legacy interviews and memory-making before death How Axios supports clients with care, clarity, and compassion Whether you’re a caregiver, a professional, or someone wondering what your own options might look like, this episode offers practical information on MAiD. Links/Resources Guest: Bryan Rigg, Axios Consulting - https://www.axiosconsulting.org Host: Traci Arieli’s Website - https://www.comfortingclosure.com Resources: Dignitas - http://www.dignitas.ch Bryan’s book: Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers  If this episode moved you, please like, share, and subscribe. Your support helps normalize conversations around aging, dying, and grief and makes it easier for others to find this resource. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli speaks with estate planning attorney Jeannette Marsala about probate, why it is so common, and how families can best avoid it with thoughtful planning. Together, they discuss what probate is, how people often end up in court even when they believe they planned ahead, and why a will alone is often not enough. Jeannette explains how living trusts work, the small details that frequently cause estate plans to fail, and the practical steps families can take to keep their loved ones out of probate court. The conversation also addresses the emotional side of estate planning. Traci and Jeannette talk openly about the fear that keeps many people from starting, the stress families face after a death, and how planning ahead can reduce confusion and conflict during grief. Topics covered include: What probate is and why it can take months or longer The difference between a will and a trust How living trusts help families avoid probate Common mistakes that send families to court What to look for when choosing an estate attorney Why planning early matters, especially before illness or loss of capacity This episode is intended for both professionals and everyday listeners. It normalizes conversations about aging, death, and planning, while offering clear and compassionate guidance that families can use in real life. Links and Resources Guest: Jeannette Marsala, Estate Planning Attorney - https://sanjoselivingtrust.com Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  If this episode was helpful, please like, share, and subscribe. Doing so helps more people find these conversations and start planning with care. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli continues her conversation with returning guests Ashley Meyveci, Co-founder and President of Luke’s Purpose, and Danielle Cristofano-Schwartz, Founder of Love From Lydia. Together, they explore the long road of parenting after child loss: the complex emotions, evolving identities, and how grief shows up every day. Ashley shares how her daughter continues to grieve her younger brother, Luke, and how moments of joy are often mixed with guilt. Danielle reflects on parenting after the birth of her second child and the challenges of keeping Lydia’s memory present while still moving forward. The episode touches on co-parenting dynamics, milestones, and what grieving parents need most, not just in the early days, but over time. This is part 2 of a 2-part series focused on parenting through grief. Links/Resources Guest: Ashley Meyveci – https://www.lukespurpose.org Guest: Danielle Cristofano-Schwartz – https://www.lovefromlydia.com Host: Traci Arieli's Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com   Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes! 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli speaks with returning guests Ashley Meyveci, Co-founder and President of Luke’s Purpose, and Danielle Cristefano-Schwartz, Founder of Love From Lydia, about what it means to keep parenting after the unimaginable: the death of a child. Ashley shares how life shifted after the loss of her son Luke, and what it was like to continue raising his older sister amid deep grief. Danielle reflects on how her identity as a parent changed after the death of her daughter Lydia, especially as she navigated pregnancy again and the awkwardness of being asked, “Is this your first?” Together, they talk about parenting through emotional exhaustion, how grief affects couples differently, and what helps them stay connected to the children they’ve lost and the ones still here. This is part 1 of a 2-part series that honors the strength and honesty it takes to keep showing up as a parent after loss.  Links/Resources Guest: Ashley Meyveci – https://www.lukespurpose.org Guest: Danielle Cristefano-Schwartz – https://www.lovefromlydia.comHost: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com   Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation touched you or you know someone who might need to hear it, please pass it along. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Marica Hofer, President of A Better Exit, to talk about a devastating and often overlooked fact: many people with diseases like ALS and dementia are locked out of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). Together, they discuss what’s broken in the law, what it means for people who are suffering, and why the ability to plan your own death is a form of dignity. Marica shares her own story, the experiences of the families she’s supported, and the painful choices some are forced to make too early, just to retain autonomy. She offers advice on how advance directives work (and where they fall short), what families can do early in the diagnosis process, and how legislation needs to change to honor people’s wishes. This episode aims to challenge assumptions, advocate for expanded access, and spark necessary conversations about equity and ethics in end-of-life care.  Links/Resources Guest: Marica Hofer, President of A Better Exit – https://abetterexit.org Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com A Better Exit Advance Planning Resources – https://abetterexit.org/resources End-of-life planning toolkit – https://compassionandchoices.org   Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. These conversations matter and your support helps others find them too. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Gary Kisela, founder of Murial, to explore how storytelling, especially before death, can transform legacy, connection, and grief. Together, they discuss how Murial is helping families create collaborative, living legacies through stories, photos, and memories shared before a person passes. From life review to digital obituaries, this conversation invites listeners to consider what it means to honor someone while they’re still here to feel it. Key takeaways include: Why the traditional obituary may no longer be enough How legacy storytelling can begin before death The emotional impact of reading your own life stories while still alive What digital tools like Murial offer for end-of-life doulas, families, and care teams How community storytelling can support grief, connection, and healing This episode gently challenges the idea that we should wait until someone is gone to reflect on their life. It’s a conversation for anyone navigating aging, illness, or simply seeking more intentional ways to preserve meaning and memory. Murial actively gives demonstrations for EOL communities (INELDA, New Mexico Deathcare Network, and others) and runs pilot projects with hospices and their patients. All are by invitation and done at no cost. If that’s something of interest to you, email Gary for a chat at gary@murial.life. Links/Resources Guest: Gary Kisela, Founder of Murial – https://murial.lifeHost: Traci Arieli’s Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com   Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. Help us normalize these important conversations about life, death, and everything in between. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with archaeologist and museum lecturer Ellen Marie Næss from the Museum of the Viking Age in Oslo. Together, they discuss how Norse communities approached death, burial, grief, and legacy. From funeral rituals and fate-driven beliefs to the poetry of grief and the legacy of honor, this conversation reveals how the Norse faced death and what we can learn from them today. Key topics include: - Norse views on death, destiny, and the afterlife - What Viking funerals actually looked like (hint: not always burning ships) - Gender, status, and symbolism in burial practices - The emotional power of Sonatorrek and skaldic poetry  - How grief and memory shaped Norse culture This episode connects ancient practices with the ways we continue to honor and remember the dead today, reminding us that death has always been part of the human story.  Links/Resources Guest: Ellen Marie Næss – Museum of the Viking Age, Oslo  https://www.vikingtidsmuseet.no/english Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com Sonatorrek (Translation): https://lyricstranslate.com/en/sonatorrek-loss-son.html The Hávamál Quotes: https://www.thenarratologist.com/best-havamal-quotes-about-death – Wardruna’s musical rendition of Sonatorrek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRQBxwzB2S0   Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes and to help normalize meaningful conversations about death, dying, and grief.  

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Ruby Cohen Love, founder of Cafe Mortel, about reimagining what a funeral can be. Ruby shares her journey from struggling with fear of death and bipolar disorder to creating deeply personal and artistic memorials that reflect the true essence of a life. Together, they explore how funerals and memorials can move beyond tradition, why planning ahead is a gift to loved ones, and how art, food, music, and personal storytelling transform grief into legacy. Ruby also opens up about envisioning her own funeral as a fashion exhibition, hosting “funeral rehearsals,” and her mission to design ceremonies that are authentic, beautiful, and sustainable. Key takeaways: How fear of death can evolve into creative meaning-making The role of art, design, and ritual in end-of-life planning What it means to create a funeral that truly reflects a person’s life Why pre-planning is an act of love and service to family How Cafe Mortel helps people design unforgettable memorials This episode will inspire you to think differently about funerals, death, and the legacies we leave behind. Links/Resources Guest: Ruby Cohen Love – Cafe Mortel: https://www.cafemortel.world Host: Traci Arieli – Comforting Closure: https://www.comfortingclosure.com  Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes! 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores pediatric palliative and hospice care with Shekinah Eliassen, CEO of George Mark Children’s House. They talk about what makes George Mark one of the few places in the country offering whole-person care for seriously ill children and their families at no cost. This episode covers: The difference between pediatric palliative care and hospice care What support looks like for the whole family Why most families do not learn about this kind of care until they are in crisis What it would take to build more homes like George Mark across the United States This conversation is for anyone who wants to understand how to better support children and families living with serious illness. Links/Resources Guest: Shekinah Eliassen, CEO of George Mark Children’s House – https://www.georgemark.org Host: Traci Arieli's Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com  Please like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with new episodes. Your support helps bring these conversations to more families and professionals. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with music-thanatologist Catharine DeLong to talk about the powerful role of music at the end of life. With decades of experience bringing harp and voice to the bedside of those who are dying, Catharine offers a moving perspective on how music can provide comfort, connection, and peace during life’s final chapter. Together, they discuss what music-thanatology is, how it differs from simply playing music in the background, and why silence is often just as meaningful as sound. Catharine shares personal stories from her work in hospice and offers guidance for families and caregivers who want to bring music into end-of-life care, even without formal training. Whether you're a professional in the field or simply someone supporting a loved one, this conversation offers gentle insight into how music can help hold space when words are no longer enough. Links/Resources Guest: Catharine DeLong – https://www.delongharp.com Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com Learn more about Music-Thanatology – https://www.mtai.org   If this conversation resonated with you, please like, share, and subscribe to help normalize honest discussions about aging, dying, and grieving.