DEATHCRAFT
JOURNAL
10 Reasons You Should Plan Ahead for the End-of-Life
Most of us spend a lot of time planning for major milestones in life—graduations, weddings, careers, retirement—but when it comes to planning for the end-of-life, many people hesitate. It’s an emotional subject, and one that’s often easier to avoid. However, thoughtful preparation for the inevitable can offer profound benefits not only to you, but to your loved ones as well.
Today is National Death Doula Day.
A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula or death midwife, is a non-medical professional who can provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to those who are dying, as well as their loved ones. They can assist in creating a personalized approach to the dying process, offering guidance and support that respects the wishes and values of the individual.
Death Positivity: What It Is & Why We Should Care
“Death positivity is not about glorifying death itself; it’s about enriching our life experiences and accepting the inevitable. By discussing, planning, and remembering, we cultivate a relationship with mortality that honors our existence rather than evades it. So, let’s raise our glasses—not just for the living but for the dead as well. Here’s to life, love, and the inevitable end that binds us all!”
MEET THE AUTHOR
Kat Rist (she/they) is the founder of Deathcraft.
Kat is a death doula, educator, and hair stylist based just south of Louisville, Kentucky. With one foot in the sacred and the other in the everyday, Kat helps others navigate the mysteries of death and dying through a lens of nature-based spirituality, compassion, and curiosity. She’s also a licensed cosmetologist working magic with color and texture at Maeda in Louisville.
Kat is a cat mom to a sassy orange tabby named Tilly, partner to a total car guy, and proud aunt to four wild and wonderful kids. She’s deeply into spiritualism, Tarot, folklore, and the quiet wisdom of the natural world. Whether she’s holding space at the end of life or capturing a breathtaking sunset, Kat believes in honoring the cycles of life—and finding magic in every part of the journey.