​Lenten Study
Mondays in Lent beginning March 6
5:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Living Thoughtfully, Dying Well.
End of life resources, practical tips and
​information for everyone.

Facilitated by Kim Lovo, internationally certified End of Life Doula, and Mother Michelle every Monday in March at 4:00 p.m. Below is a preview of each week.


Monday March 6, Session #1
Knowledge Reduces Fear- Discovering what you didn’t know you didn’t know!

Session 1 is designed to demystify some of our preconceived ideas regarding death and dying. Life is a terminal illness! Death has become a medicalized event…death and dying have been taken out of the home and into the hospital. Death has become remote. Death and dying used to be a regular event in most households; now it isn’t seen and therefore has become frightening. All deaths are unique, no death is typical! All death is inevitable- for everyone. That is God’s plan and promise.


Monday March 13, Session #2
Preparing for a Good Ending- Practical tools for easing stress on spouses, children and loved ones.

We will discuss the importance of preparedness: getting your “house in order,” i.e. getting organized, utilizing advanced directives, living wills, trusts, etc. Do you have a DNR? Full code or no code? We must record our wishes, or your loved ones will be left making decisions for you….do you want that (5 Wishes).

We will learn the importance of practicing deep active listening when someone just receives a terminal diagnosis, how and why to do a Legacy project, and how to prepare your Vigil plans. Have you thought about after death care? How about preparing your funeral plans, even writing your own Eulogy?

Monday March 20, Session #3
What Does Death Look Like? What happens when we die?

• Engaging the Spirits
• Nearing Death Awareness and non-verbal communications
• Signs and Symptoms: Months to weeks, weeks to days, and the final days
• Reactions to death; When is it time to say goodbye?
• What the dying person feels … are they being held back?

Monday March 27, Session #4
Hospice Care and Grief

Hospice: what is hospice? Comfort care at the end of life and time of death provided by a multidisciplinary team (Drs, nurses, clergy, volunteers, CNAs, social workers, grief counselors)

• What to expect: hospice house vs. hospice care in the home vs. hospice care in an assisted living facility vs. hospice care in a long term care facility
• Caregiver issues….being a caregiver is HARD WORK!
• After death care- dying in a hospital or long term care facility vs. dying at home

Grief: grief is a natural and unavoidable response to a death

• Grief can be like riding a rollercoaster, or getting lost in an unfamiliar forest
• How do I move ahead? Grief is not a linear experience (i.e. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross)
• Real healing requires inner work
• Grief hurts! I am sad and lonely! I’m angry, depressed and/or frightened!
• Grieving and dementia

There will be time provided after each session for questions!

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