Author: Sheila Burke

Sheila Burke is an End-of-Life Doula and Founder of the Being Better Humans online community. A published author, Sheila's most recent book, Bullshit To Butterflies, is a memoir about her husband Shane's journey with cancer.

Why You Need a Death Doula

While much of the world has an intimate approach concerning care during severe illness and dying, Western cultures are nearly the opposite. You see, for the last century, we have segregated our old, our ill, and our dying.  Other than seeing our friends or family in a casket at a funeral home, that’s about as…… Continue reading Why You Need a Death Doula

7 Important Ways to Help Someone Who is Grieving

1: Some Don’ts: Don’t tell them how to feel. Don’t tell them you know how they feel. Also, everyone’s grief is different. When you are grieving it’s common for people to want to offer up their own stories of grieving to you. I think people that it somehow shows they support you and they understand…… Continue reading 7 Important Ways to Help Someone Who is Grieving

An Open Letter To Those Helping Me Grieve

“If you simply cannot understand why someone is grieving so much, for so long, then consider yourself fortunate.” DR. JOANNE CACCIATORE Grief isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of thing. We all experience it differently. And we all experience it differently at different times. The way we experience grief is kind of like skydiving. Only the person…… Continue reading An Open Letter To Those Helping Me Grieve

The One About the First Anniversary: Today Is One Year Since He Died

So, this morning I woke up to the sound of my phone notifying me of a text message. I’ve never, ever, slept with my phone until Shane died. (He died one year ago today.)It’s crazy how fast this past year has gone, yet so slowly. I glanced at the phone. It was his best friend.…… Continue reading The One About the First Anniversary: Today Is One Year Since He Died

How to Create Your Own Sacred Space

Creating a special, sacred space for yourself will help you to expand your sense of wonder and appreciation for life.Your sacred space is a place where you can push pause and do a little reflection or it can be a place where you can take a few breaths in peace and quiet while going about…… Continue reading How to Create Your Own Sacred Space

Things to Consider When First Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness

You’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness. I am very sorry. There is no right or wrong way to handle this experience. Time seems to stand still when you first hear the diagnosis. Everyone handles it differently. Some people push it away, some cry, some are angry; some are silent, some get scared, and some…… Continue reading Things to Consider When First Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness

15 Signs from Deceased Loved Ones

The night my dying husband had a conversation with his deceased brother in my living room was the night I found the first feather. Shane was dying from a very aggressive cancer. He was receiving visits near the end of his life from his mother and brother who passed away before him. It was quite…… Continue reading 15 Signs from Deceased Loved Ones

How Death and Funerals Have Changed in the U.S.

Up until the Civil War era in the United States, we used to hold our funerals in our homes.When we knew our loved ones were dying, it was common practice to remain with them. The family would nurse them by day and neighbors would “sit up” with them during the night. (They could alert family…… Continue reading How Death and Funerals Have Changed in the U.S.

How to Express Sympathy: What to Say and What Not to Say

When crafting a message of sympathy, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. All of us have different beliefs. When your beliefs differ from the deceased or their family we must be considerate with what we do and say. The way we grieve is not universal. While your heart might be in the…… Continue reading How to Express Sympathy: What to Say and What Not to Say

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