With summer in its peak, many of us are balancing the vibrancy of the season with the weight of recent events. Grief can arise through the loss of homes, treasured trees, routines, a sense of safety, or the places that help us feel grounded. In times like these, being in community reminds us that we don't have to carry these experiences alone.
In this edition, you'll find upcoming events designed to create space for reflection, conversation, learning, and connection. Whether you're navigating personal loss, supporting someone else, or simply looking for people that welcome honest conversations about grief, change, and growth, we hope you'll join us this summer.
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Deathy Powerpoint Party
Wednesday, July 8
7 PM - 9 PM
La Sala Rossa, Montréal, QC
Join TalkDeath and local deathcare workers for fast and fascinating deep dives into topics related to death, end-of-life, and grief.
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Ottawa death doulas Emma Griffin and Kelly Butler will present "Green Burial and Red Tape: Natural Burial in Quebec."
This talk explores the barriers Quebec residents currently face in accessing natural burial and the steps that can help reclaim this longstanding tradition.
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Life Among the Stones
Join our summer field trips and meet the rich plant life found in local cemeteries! Local herbalist and botanical expert Amber Westfall is our guide to the hidden ecology of these sacred spaces. Slow down, look closely, and discover the natural beauty growing among the gravestones.
RSVP to deathcareottawa@gmail.com for meet-up location and further details (and to donate!) Donations for Amber are gratefully accepted.
Free to attend and all are welcome. There is a moderate amount of walking. Please note there is no rain date. With the exception of extreme weather (lightning!) this event is rain-or-shine.
Sunday, July 12
2 PM - 3:30 PM
St. Patrick's Church Cemetery
15 Steeple Hill Crescent
Sunday, August 2
2 PM - 3:30 PM
MacDonald Gardens Park (formerly Sandy Hill Cemetery)
Cobourg Street off Rideau Street
The Good Grief Retreat
August 8 and 9
Westmeath, Ontario
Julie Keon will be hosting a two-day gathering for women who are carrying the loss of a beloved child, spouse, sibling, parent, friend, or other significant relationship. This loss could be from many years ago or more recently. All grief is welcome.
Participants will be surrounded by nature, nourished with care, and held in a space where their grief can be witnessed, and where they may also witness the grief of others.
Death Café in the Park
Saturday, August 14 12 PM - 2 PM
Vincent Massey Park
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As summer approaches its latter days and the fields grow golden, we shall gather among the trees to consider subjects which, though often avoided, belong to every life.
Join Heather Martel and Michelle Olmstead for an afternoon of lemonade, cake, and conversations about dying, death, and grief.
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Next cohort begins September 2026
Have you been considering death doula training? Are you curious about what it means to companion the dying with presence, skill, and compassion?
If you feel called to support others through one of life’s most profound transitions, the AP Doula Program is a comprehensive path into this meaningful work, grounded in decades of practice. This 6-month long online program blends practical tools with philosophical approaches to supporting those at end-of-life, Explore your relationship with mortality, care, and connection.
Click below to learn more and email kelly@withkellybutler.com with questions or to book an interview.
Our next newsletter will come out in September, when we'll share more of what's cooking for fall. In the meantime, we wish you a warm and restful summer! |
