Love them, even in death - how to take care of dying friends & family | Erin Merelli | TEDxMileHigh
When your loved one dies, the corporate funeral industry will make you believe you only have a couple of options: burial or cremation. Package A or Package B. But it isn’t true. This $16.5 billion industry is a relatively modern invention. Across cultures and across time, everyday people have taken care of their dead. In this beautiful talk, death doula Erin Merelli shares how you can create a meaningful, deeply personal experience around the death of a loved one. “It will be scary at first,” she says, “But once you push past the fear, the only thing left is love.” Death Doula & Ceremonialist Erin Merelli works with those on the edge of death all the way until their final breath. In 2019, she partnered with Green Funeral Director Lauren Carroll and co-founded Deathwives. Together, they’ve successfully trained thousands of people to support their own loved ones through the end and to provide death care in their communities. Erin lives in Denver with her two teenagers, a rotation of rescue animals, and an ethos that grief is an act of love. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
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As Susanne's partner at the time of her death, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Erin and her colleague Lauren for the excellent work & genuine love they showered on Susanne in her last days. Although Susi and I agreed that I would not participate in the final act, I was deeply moved when Erin and I prepared Susanne's body for her final resting -- an experience I wish more people could have with their loved ones. Thank you again, Erin
@illyriamarsss
7 ай бұрын
she, and her story, were beautiful. i am sorry for your loss, and it’s beautiful that she was able to go on her own terms, with true dignity. sending you love and compassion.
Oh my gosh. This is one of the most impactful and moving TEDx talks, and even talks on death, that I've seen. I am training to be a Soul Midwife and this just beautifully epitomised my thoughts and feelings. Thank you for using and sharing your gift, uncovered through your own grief, to awaken us all and bring ownership and power back to this most scared of processes
Wow this was beautiful. Thank you. Let’s make death sacred again.
beautiful Erin! So glad we are friends. You truly are a light worker in this world.
This was incredibly moving. And such valuable information. ❤️
Knocked it outta the park, Erin!
Thank you ❤ I needed to hear a lot of this.
Very informative and helpful information. Thank you so much.
absolutely beautiful. very well spoken and moving.
So beautiful.🥹Thank you for sharing. The work you do is so incredibly important. 🙏🏻🦋🩵
🥹😭 Thank you... SO much. ❤ 🙏🏼
You should be ashamed!!! A deceased body cannot stay in a home for days..... there are regulations and disease containment to consider
@kathleenmmackey
3 ай бұрын
It depends on a lot of different regulations.
Wow!!! What bundle of lies.... from a person that hasn't ever truly worked in the funeral industry. What a gimmick...
I was very disappointed in her talk. Clearly, she has personal bias against people in the funeral industry hearing her talk down others in the death industry was very disappointing. I stopped listening.
@dodi1205jb
5 ай бұрын
So sad that so many in the funeral industry, are so offended by this. I can't help but see the greed and fear that is wrapped up in responses like yours. It's imperative that the funeral indursty catch up and invest in more green options. There are so many ways to treat and care for our dying & dead. Until you've been a part of the dying process and truly caring for them from dx until after the disposition, you'll never understand how beautiful and healing these experiences can be. As a society we've become so separated from death. We hand become so seperated from actively and compassionately caring for our loved ones. We hand the body over to have it prodded, filled with carcinogenic chemicals to then be "preserved" for several years in an expensive box and a ton of concrete. Education is power and what she is doing is educating people on other options. Unfortunately many don't know their legal rights and the wonderful possibilities that are out there for care and disposition. There are far too many gaps and far too many "professionals" in the medical and death industries who live under a rock and who are so money driven.