Summer Summit 2024

IDLM is proud to announce our 3rd annual Summer Summit. This year’s Summer Summit will offer workshops and networking opportunities for end-of-life professionals and those interested in learning more about end-of-life care. Join us for a transformative event that will shape the future of end of life care. All for FREE!

July 29 – August 2, 2024 every night at 7pm – 8pm CST.

SCHEDULE

Monday July 29 - Barbara Karnes

Join us for an insightful discussion with Mr. Karnes, RN, as we explore end-of-life care and the role of end-of-life doulas in the industry. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

About Barbara Karnes, RN

Barbara Karnes, RN Award Winning End of Life Educator, Award Winning Nurse, NHPCO Hospice Innovator Award Winner 2018 & 2015 International Humanitarian Woman of the Year 

While at the bedside of hundreds of people during the dying process, Hospice Pioneer Barbara Karnes noticed that each death was following a near identical script. Each person was going through the stages of death in almost the same manner and most families came to her with similar questions. These realizations led Barbara to sit down and write Gone From My Sight, “The Little Blue Book” that changed the hospice industry.  

Gone From My Sight is the original, and remains the most widely used, patient/family educational booklet on the signs of approaching death. It has been in print continuously since 1985 and has sold over 35 million copies world wide. With its publication and distribution, Barbara created one of the most important tools in the end of life movement today. 

Tuesday July 30 - Jamie Thrower

Title: Creating Inclusive Death Care Practices: Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community.

In this webinar, we will explore the importance of cultural competence in creating supportive death care experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. We will address the crucial role that language, communication, and understanding cultural context plays when working with diverse populations, recognizing the limitations of traditional death care practices in meeting the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

We’ll dive into current and emerging death care practices from an LGBTQ+ perspective, highlighting the unique cultural factors that shape this community’s approach to death, dying, and grief. Attendees will gain valuable insights into diverse and innovative practices that emphasize respect, dignity, and inclusion and will gain tools for doing an inclusivity audit of their own death work practice.

About Jamie

Jamie Thrower (she/they) is a Queer death doula, end of life and grief educator, and the founder of Queer Grief Club, an activity-based, supportive meetup group for LGBTQ grievers. Jamie focuses her work on both advocacy and direct client care around LGBTQ end-of-life and grief support, medical-aid-in-dying, and parent loss.

Wednesday July 31 - Eric Rooney

Explore the legal options of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and Voluntary Stop Eating and Drinking (VSED), understanding their processes and limitations. Gain insights into supporting individuals in their end-of-life choices, providing dignity, and incorporating rituals and beauty into their journey, along with a practical approach.

Discover the eco-friendly alternatives of water cremation, green burial, and composting, and learn how Eric assists and serves families at Half Moon Farm in embracing these options. Delve into the importance of preparing for death and dying to find peace in life, and engage in a Q+A session to address any queries.

About Eric

For 34 years, Eric Rooney or “Rooney Bloom” has been passionate about nature, regeneration, and caring for humans as a farmer, story-teller, visionary, founder, death doula, and speaker. Half Moon Farm, his farm in Lakewood, Colorado, provides flowers, food, education and gatherings for the community and also works with green funeral homes to return human compost and water cremation fertilizer to Earth.

He also founded the non-profit, Regeneration Earth,to educate the public about death options and support families in need; Sage House in Colorado, a healing home and services where people can holistically die with dignity and choice; and Final Wishes, a digital product to help people organize their end-of-life planning.

Thursday August 1 - Tony Lynch

Title: Men’s Grief Support

Tony will explore the common misunderstandings surrounding men’s grieving process, the importance of providing effective support to men, and the significance of male companionship in grief support. Additionally, he will discuss the role of doulas in facilitating access to grief support and connecting men with relevant resources.

About Tony

Tony is the Founder of the non-profit Memories of Us LTD. Grief support for men, The Global Grief Network, a resource for the bereaved. He is also the host of the podcast Grief Let’s Talk About It. He is also a Certified Suicide Interventionist, Peer Recovery Coach, and Mental Health First Aider and a Men’s Grief Coach.

Friday August 2 - A surprise you do not want to miss!

Why IDLM?

Continued education

Monthly at no cost to our students. Keeping you updated on industry advances and tools to enhance your practice.

The Movement

You found your doula family. Our family community for ongoing support on a daily basis.

Instructors

Who are actively practicing their specialty/services daily.

IDLM brings together over 200 years of experience!