Caring for our dead is a story as old as humankind.

Humans have always cared for their beloved dead. Up until the 20th century, death occurred primarily at home and in the company of family, where it was understood to be a communal, perhaps religious, experience rather than a medical event. The dying were nearly always cared for by family and/or close community members, and most people, including children, had an up-close and personal familiarity with the processes of death and dying.

Following the American Civil War and its advances in embalming technology, death began to shift from a family-directed tradition to one considered to be best handled by the “experts.” Families were told that their beloved dead were unclean and that caring for their bodies was a health risk. Death became a business, and embalming bodies became the norm.

We believe that helping people to reclaim their right to care for their dead puts the decision-making and the grieving processes back where they belong — in the capable, loving hands of the dead and dyings’ families and close community members. Certified Death Midwives support this effort by providing the practical, emotional, and spiritual support, including education and advocacy, that best fits the needs, preferences, and beliefs of those seeking to reclaim a more hands-on, meaningful experience at end-of-life.