Description

What if just starting the conversation—the one you've been avoiding—brought you relief instead of dread?

Francesca Lynn Arnoldy, death literacy advocate and author of 'The Death Doula's Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared,' believes that transforming our relationship with death begins with a single step.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What 'death literacy' actually means and why it matters
• The surprising pleasure of starting difficult conversations
• What makes a 'good death' (hint: presence, choice, and love)
• How to support others during grief and loss
• Practical steps toward living fully while preparing to die well

Francesca is the original program director for UVM's End-of-Life Doula Certificate Programs, a published researcher with the Vermont Conversation Lab, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, and AARP.

'Death literacy empowers us to navigate the end of life with clarity, confidence, and compassion—transforming fear into understanding and avoidance into meaningful preparation.' —Francesca Arnoldy

Ready to take that first step?

Find 'A Guide to Living Fully & Dying Prepared,' and other books by Francesca, here on my curated booklist at bookshop.org so you can support your local bookshop.

Hosted by Patricia M Sears, End-of-Life Doula and founder of Graceful Transitions. Subscribe to hear monthly conversations with nationally recognized experts on death, dying, and life's most important transitions.

Join the Graceful Lifers community at Substack for exclusive invitations to join live audience and Q&A sessions with guests and deeper conversations about navigating life's thresholds.