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MISSION OF THIS SITE

We do have choices about being close to our beloved family member or friend at the time of the final passage from life. This site offers not only legal information , but perhaps more importantly, stories and information about this threshold of death that can give you and yours permission to find your own way to say goodbye in all aspects of the death process.

Each death is unique. Taking care of our own in the hours and days after death is returning as an option for many people like it was commonly 100 years ago.. What is a challenging time can also be a precious healing time, filled with spirit.

This is a picture of Jack and I in Mexico two weeks before he died. See MY STORY for all the details 

 

History of Death and Dying work in Twin Cities
& creation of this website In the Twin Cities:

I and others came to these understandings about the transition of death through our own life experiences. It began in 1995 when we had a home vigil for Paul Bergh, my first husband when he died suddenly of a cardiac arrest at age 54.

In 1996, my daughter Kirsten Bergh,17, and her dear friend Nina Dietzel, 18, died in an auto accident in New York state, where they were attending a Waldorf High School. I was in that accident. A home vigil was held for them in Harlemville New York, and the Twin Cities Waldorf Community came together here in support and grief. The parent of Nina, Marianne and Dennis Dietzel, and I were carved by grief in the following years, and supported by community and spirit. Many of the experiences of that time and the years following inform our work now.

This Website originated in August 2005, after the death of my second husband, Jack Heckelman,, particularly for readers of THE UTNE September 2005 article “No Regrets” , a story of Jack’s death and home vigil. The website was a place to read about our story of conscious dying and home death care. Jack died of lung cancer eight months after the diagnosis. He worked consciously with every step, and wrote an ethical will.

Throughout these past 12 years we as a “Threshold” community group have gathered information and inner experiences to assist ourselves and others in preparing to care for their own. Starting in 2006, we were asked to teach classes.

We share our life stories with you in hopes that they will help to normalize what was common practice 100 years ago. We can care for those we love at this time, whether sudden or known. It can bring peace and comfort and more opportunity to say goodbye
. . Linda Bergh

WHAT THIS SITE OFFERS:

My Story :
Conscious Dying/Death care: story of Jack Heckelman
Story and Poetry of Kirsten Bergh
My writings about the transformation of grief
Home Dying and Death Care:
Information, legal, stories
Classes / Services
Classes and Services now being offered now
Resources/Links
Contact info

My Story
It is often that our own life stories become the teachers. My life changed with the death of three beloved family members and the (My Story) button is the access. The focus is how Conscious Living and Home Death Care changed the experiences and allowed empowerment and healing.

Jack and My Story: 2004-5.
The Journey of a conscious death and after death home care. Jack lived eight months after a cancer diagnosis. He consciously faced death and did everything he could to live. He created a video of his ethical will. He and I planned his after death care. Community members participated in all aspects. A journal written for Caring Bridge Website tells the story as it unfolded. This section includes the experience ofJack’s three dayvigil in our home.

Kirsten Bergh’s story and book
My daughter Kirsten Bergh died with her friend Nina Dietzel in a car accident in 1996. In April 1997 I published a book of her poetry and art as a way to share her spirit with friends and family. This section tells her story, and has selections of her art and poetry. Her book is for sale. Marianne Dietzel also shares story of the three day home vigil in New York state where they died…

My writings
This section will include my writings about loss, spirit, and the transformation of grief. Including Dragonfly stories…………… Spirit is always close in many forms

Others Stories
Each family who face the threshold of death have a unique story. We hope that people will share their stories here so that we can all learn from each other , giving permission to each of us find the right way for our circumstances.

Dying and Home Death Care:
information about caring for our own.

Conscious Dying Information:
Ways we can hold the dying process more consciously and allow for completion and conversations regarding the wishes of our beloved will be explored.

Home Death Care:
This section, while titled home death care, applies to many possible circumstances, including all circumstances of home, care facility or hospital deaths. Any experience can include time with the beloved after death and this can be coordinated with a cooperating funeral home. Legal information regarding right to not embalm and how to care for the body after death are provided. Stories included. Major news arts also linked.

Classes and Services:
Classes Classes allow the possibility of learning about these alternatives in a more personal way. You will receive tools and deepen your understanding of your own wishes and values in a group framework.

Services:
Services offered by Marianne Dietzel and Linda Bergh

Resources/Links:
Individuals/Organizations locally offering services at the threshold. Links to local/national websites . Bibliography on the topics