For most people, only two dates are carved in stone: the day you’re born and the day you die. You didn’t get much say in the celebrations around the first one—but the second? You can design it, experience it, and enjoy it, all while you’re still very much alive.

Did I just say “enjoy it?” I did. 😬

Funerals are generally somber occasions. Fair enough - people are sad that they’ve lost someone. But for me, one of the saddest things about funerals is that the person who’s passed on never got to hear about what their life meant to other people while they were still alive. Why do we hold it in? On top of that, our culture has become so death-averse that we are unable to explore our complex feelings about it except perhaps in the privacy of a therapist’s office. It’s odd, isn’t it? Aside from birth, it’s the one experience that we share in common with every other human being who’s ever existed!

In times past, humanity explored the mysteries of life and death through rituals, shamanic journeys, and sacred traditions. Today, many of these practices have been lost—yet the yearning to safely explore remains.

Enter Afterwife (a blend of "afterlife" and "midwife"). This is my most precious offering: a tailored, experiential “death” journey that includes preparation, a living funeral, and an after-event. Each phase is crafted to honor your unique needs, beliefs, and imagination.

• The Preparation Phase: This can involve practical activities, such as discussing advance health directives, writing a will, or decluttering your home. It can also include emotional preparation using mind-body tools like the Neuro Emotional Technique to help you feel centered and ready.

• The Living Funeral: Whether it’s a simple “viewing,” where loved ones gather to share memories and give tributes, or a full religious or spiritual ceremony of your choosing, the experience is yours to design. Imagine lying in a casket as attendees pay respects, or sitting among them, veiled like a ghostly observer—your options are as limitless as your creativity.

• The After-Event: A lively reception with food and drinks? A quiet ritual meal marking your “return to life”? Or maybe a heartfelt moment to express gratitude to your guests? Whatever you choose, this phase is the culmination of the journey—a celebration of life, connection, and transformation.

What makes Afterwife truly unique is the convergence of my life’s work and passions. Before becoming a mind-body holistic health practitioner, I worked in entertainment and event production, honing my skills in creating memorable experiences. I later earned a PhD in Pastoral Counseling, became an ordained priest in a heterodox Gnostic tradition, and now own a temple space—a spiritual laboratory ready to be reconfigured for your personal alchemy.

A living funeral can be deeply transformative—and a lot of fun. I like to say, we put the FUN back in funeral.

No matter where you stand in relation to physical death, a living funeral is an act of profound transformation and self-discovery—a work of spiritual alchemy designed to celebrate your life while embracing the great mystery of what lies beyond.

For more information on planning an Afterwife Living Funeral, please fill out the contact form below. Thank you!