Here

“How to grieve?” asked an anonymous questioner after the death of her partner. Brainwash, from the Dutch broadcast HUMAN, invited me to respond to her. I had so much to say, but we condensed it down to three minutes. You can watch it here.

While I have been considering more ways to create 1:many offerings like this one, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much I value the deep process of 1:1 collaborative work. This kind of intimacy is part of the foundation of practice, both as a carer and curator.

As we turn into the next season, I would really like to share my gratitude for each and every one of you who has asked me to sit with you through your experiences with death and grief.

Since opening the door to an intentional relationship with death in 2019, and caring as a death and grief doula since 2022, my practice is now like a dense yet carefully tended garden. It has grown slowly, and mostly because my community recommends me to others. Thank you, dear community.

Throughout this time I have worked with nearly 50 people in different contexts of death, dying, loss, transition, and grief. Each of you has left a profound impression on me: being entrusted with your wishes for after your death, experiencing the artwork you made to help process your grief, guiding you to care for your loved one’s body, bearing witness to the vulnerability you shared. So, so much more. I honor you and all of it.

Your trust empowers me, your love inspires me, and my heart grows fuller and stronger because of you. I know that the more we are resourced to face the truth of death and witness the pain of loss without totally numbing, hardening, or closing off, the more we foster dignity, connection, and life-affirming conditions, all of which are relational and co-created.

Now

Summertime 3× 60 min session bundle

“Summer vibrates with vigorous instruction,” writes Jacqueline Suskin in A Year in Practice, Seasonal Rituals and Prompts to Awaken Cycles of Creative Expression. I’ve been tuned to seasonality since I started learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine in recent years, and more so since I began reading this book (thanks Rachel from Day Acupuncture!).

I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about the Summer season before, precisely because I have a better understanding of how to be my deathy and griefy self within it!

Anyone in need of some care with this kind of energy? Or, want to open up to death, grief, and most of all, living, but haven’t felt quite “ready” yet?

Let’s meet this summer!

I’ve designed a vibrant and enthusiastic framework for three 1:1 sessions that can be personalized to your situation for the summer season.

This partnership is for anyone who seeks more connection in their life and would like a little more empowerment and accountability for the process. Using the full, buoyant energy of summer to fortify you, my aim is to support your access to creativity, relaxation, and nurturance. The dose of death and grief care is matched to your need and capacity at the moment. Expect creative prompts, somatic exercises, and care guidance.

We meet once a month in June, July, and August, virtually or here in Utrecht.

Schedule your first session now. Select the 3× session bundle and include “Summertime” in the booking. Not sure but curious? We can do a quick call.

A recent testimony: Without any exaggeration or embellishment, Staci practices the lessons that life and death teach us in a very generous, honest, deep, and humble manner.

Close

One of my dearest friends had a major surgery recently, so the lived experience of being a patient in a hospital has been front of mind. We are relieved she is ok and recovering well! Much love to all who intimately know this reality and many thanks to attentive caregivers.

A favorite artist and writer, Moosje M. Goosen reflects on her hospital stay in the installations REPLICATION: EVERYDAY ALL OVER at Daily Practice and REPLICATION: all day every day at ArtEra Gallery, located at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam. The two installations are within twenty minutes walking distance from each other until mid-July.

I discovered artist Leah Jensen last month through her work at Fitzrovia Chapel in London, and I haven’t stopped thinking about the raw and honest texts she shared from the hospital bed. Have a look at her Brain Tumour Book.

Full,
Staci

PS. Whenever unsure, reconvene.