Discussing Death

Dying Well sparks honest, engaging conversations about death and dying. This seminar allows participants to examine how society talks about – and often avoids – the end of life. Other topics include gaps in our care systems and the definition and use of palliative and hospice care.

You will learn to navigate death as a unique, personal process while acquiring tools to make meaningful end-of-life decisions.

This seminar welcomes anyone ready to face mortality with clarity and courage and includes those living with serious illness, loved ones supporting someone at the end of life, and anyone preparing their own care with intention.

Key Questions We Will Explore

• How can we navigate the death of a loved one with understanding and compassion? And how can we manage the emotions that follow?
• In turn, how might we envision and honor our own dying process?
• Furthermore, what does a “good death” mean? How can we shape it to reflect our values?
• Finally, how can we uphold what matters most – personally and culturally – as someone nears the end of life?

This is not a therapy session. Instead, it is a candid, interactive discussion. We will examine the physical and emotional processes of dying. By creating a space for open exploration, participants will leave feeling empowered. They will approach end-of-life decisions with greater clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Lara N. Dotson-Renta, PhD is a longtime writer, educator and scholar of languages (Spanish and French). She is also a 500hr RYT yoga instructor with trauma informed yoga training through The Veteran’s Yoga Project and children’s yoga training from Full of Joy Yoga in CT. She is also a trained death doula through INELDA (The International End of Life Doula Association). She is interested in helping others live life more fully and intentionally.

She resides in Lake Bluff with her family.