Sacred Journey

Empowering individuals and families to make informed choices about their end-of-life care,
in accordance with their values, wishes and beliefs.

Sacred Journey is a loving community that is dedicated to understanding and enriching the soul's journey between here and the after life. We value and share education, resources, information, support and friendship in an effort to help one another plan for an intentional and sacred end-of-life journey and to normalize conversation about death, dying, and loss.

We came together with a common goal: to take care of each other and our loved ones, as we embrace a consciously planned approach to how we live our final days. Our mission is simple yet profound: "to empower individuals and families to make informed choices about their end-of-life care, in accordance with their values, wishes and beliefs."

Whether you're simply curious about home funerals or green burials and the legal and practical side of dying in North Carolina, or you are seeking to clearly define and plan your end-of-life preferences, our community is here to serve, guide, and support you in fellowship and love every step of the way.

“We plan for births with such care—what doctor we want, where we’ll deliver, even what music we’ll play in the room. But death, which comes to us all, we often leave to chance. The truth is, when you write down your healthcare directives, speak to your family about what kind of dying experience you want, and decide how you wish to be remembered or laid to rest, you give a great gift. You free your loved ones from guessing, guilt, and confusion. You give them clarity and peace. Death doesn’t have to be chaotic.

It can be sacred, intentional, and deeply human—if we dare to talk about it before it comes.”

— Barbara Karnes, RN, Hospice nurse and educator, author of Gone From My Sight

Education, support, and community for an intentional, sacred end of life.

Sacred Journey offers:

Informational Workshops:

Introduction to an Intentional End-of-Life
End of Life Considerations and Planning: A Guidebook
Communicating Wishes to Family
Intro to Green Burial and Natural Burial
Advance Directives and Living Wills
The Soul's Journey at the Threshold and Beyond

Community Gatherings:

Community Threshold Song Circles
Contemplative Discussion Groups
Reading Group(s)
Group Movie Nights

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Group Movie Night:

"A Will for the Woods"

Thursday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.

What if our last act could be a gift to the planet? Musician and psychiatrist Clark Wang prepares for his own green burial in this immersive documentary. While battling lymphoma, Clark has discovered a burgeoning movement that uses burial to conserve and restore natural areas, forgoing typical funeral practices that stress the ecosystem. Boldly facing his mortality, Clark and his partner Jane have become passionate about green burial, compelled by both the environmental benefits and the idea that one can remain within the cycle of life, rather than being cut off from it. The spirited pair have inspired a compassionate local cemeterian, and together they aim to use green burial to save a North Carolina woods from being clear-cut. Watch the trailer here.

Bring a favorite movie snack to share and join us for a private viewing and conversation after. Directions to the viewing will be sent via email to all registrants.

* Want to host a movie night? Let us know!

the word soulful spelled as soul and full with artistic rendering of people holding hands in support of one another

Soul/full Conversations Group

July 12, 10 a.m. - 11:30

Clemmons Branch Library, 6365 James Street, Clemmons, NC

If you’re struggling with grief, loss, or overwhelmed feelings, please know that you are not alone. Losing someone or facing difficult emotions can feel isolating, but there’s a community that understands. Join us at the Clemmons Branch Library on the second Saturday of the month for Soul/full Conversations where a loving, compassionate group of people gather for meaningful conversation about life, love, loss and everything in between – and to fill their souls with intentional connections. All are welcome. No registration required.

A Roundtable Discussion:

Green Burial, Advance Directives & Myths

of the Funeral Home

Wednesday, July 30 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m

Bring your questions and be a part of the conversation at an upcoming roundtable discussion with an expert panel of local end-of-life professionals:

Deborah Parker, Board President and Family Liaison for the first natural burial ground in the NC Triad region, All Souls Natural Burial
Anne Weston, Founder of Green Burial Project and expert on Advance Directives
Sara Williams, President of the national organization The Funeral Consumers Alliance

Learn everything you've ever wanted to know about green burials, Advance Directives and consumer protections available to grieving families under the Funeral Rule.

We will determine the location of this event based on number of attending – so if you plan to attend, please RSVP early so we can choose the right venue size. (It will be held in the Winston-Salem/Clemmons area.)