now a comprehensive online program

CINDEA (and Journeying Beyond) has re-developed the By My Own Heart and Hand 'home funerals' workshop to be an online programme.   This means that anyone can take the programme from anywhere in the world at any time, and go through it in their own timing.   However, all homework has to be done in the 3 months aftering signing up to get the Certification of Completion.   
Once signed up, the participant has life-time access to the programme updates and the discussion forum so that they are able to learn new elements that are added, and build community with the other participants no matter when they started the programme.

The programme includes written material, slideshows (with the teachers explaining), videos, discussion forums, and monthly Zoom Q&As or sharing sessions with the teachers.   The home funerals training includes how to do the deathcare and dealing with the paperwork (separate sections for each province and territory).   To that, we have added a section on Greening Death (ecological final disposition options), Children and Death, Deathing Rites (before and after death) and Grief and Community of Grieving.   The course, as a whole, requires approximately 24 hours (9 hours video plus 15 hours reading, discussions, surveys, assignments).

The fee is $300.   It is important to us that everyone who wishes to take the course can afford to do so.   We have done a fair bit of assessing the cost of other similiar programs and believe that ours is one of the least expensive.    More information is available on CINDEA's BMOHAH page.

Preparing to carry the body with a sheet		A simple trick for washing the hair
Despite being paralized on right side, participant can help with washing		Getting all of the crevices
The workshop was wonderful and inspiring! Pashta is an amazing teacher and really knows how to make everyone feel comfortable doing something that most people would shrink away from. Her work is helping so many families find the healing that they need and I am so proud to have hosted and participated in such a beautiful crafted workshop.  [Madeline Christie]
Safely rolling the body to expose the back		Washing back of neck
Washing the legs		deathcare outside in a Tiki hut
A very thorough, educational weekend that changed my belief from thinking I couldn't do something like that, to one where I could see myself taking part in end of life support and home funeral activities. [D. Shantz]
Getting pants (or skirt) on		Shirt goes upside-down and topside down to start
Brushing teeth		Placing Techni-ice or Cryopak gel ice packs
I cannot express how meaningful my experience with home funeral training "By My Own Heart and Hand". I really value the information covered of the various aspects of home funeral. The paperwork and logistics required to hold a home funeral was invaluable: the important timeline of the order of things that need to be done. Carrying, cleansing, and shrouding the deceased was accomplished in an atmosphere of utmost great care and reverence. These understandings and knowledge are what brings confidence to be part of, or even to help coordinate all that is needed immediately after a person's passing. Thank you, Pashta for your wise, humorous and thorough way that you delivered this precious knowledge and skill set for those who wish to care for the deceased at home. [Alisa G]
Closing mouth and eyes		Shrouding the body (with a simple bedsheet)
Moving casket through doorways and stairs		Navigating casket down stairwell
Thank you so much Pashta for facilitating such a healing and heartfelt workshop.   I was already interested in Home Funerals and green burials and now that I have taken your workshop am 100% convinced this is the way of the future for myself and the planet. [Shawna Rasmus]

Lying in Honourt

The title of the workshop came from the following poem AfterWards Take her not from me. Let it be this hand Who wipes the folds of her flesh — A final encore to fading days. With each tender stroke, May her seasoned soul unwind its threads from this mortal coil. With each grieving caress, May her enduring love weave more tightly into the whole of my being. Take her not from me, Until the last essence of who she was is truly gone, And I have captured only what she left for me — In this hand and heart. Pashta MaryMoon