Death Journaling: Creating Keepsakes of a Lifetime
We had an INCREDIBLE time in Southern Portugal for Contemplative Doula’s 2023 travel retreat. It was unreal, surreal, and so very real–pure magic and such good medicine. Check out the photo gallery!
The (actualized) details:
INTENTIONS…
- A slowed pace: Welcome peace and awe after leaving behind any pressures and stress. All of the details and plans will be thoughtfully arranged, freeing you up to be more present and relaxed.
- Restoration: Rest deeply and nourish yourself well.
- Reclamation: Reclaim your wholeness and even your mortality.
- Connection: Connect to yourself and a community of kindreds.
- Enjoyment! Life is meant to be lived fully. Memento mori.
OUR LOCATION
SUMMARY
DURATION: 6 days · 5 nights
TRAVEL DATES: October 31 – November 5, 2023
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate (mountain villa with stairs, excursions, and optional guided walks)
LOCATION: VilaFoia in Monchique, Portugal
DESCRIPTION
Our “manual” for the retreat will be Francesca’s new book, The Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared. The format of this interactive workbook was largely inspired by Francesca’s own “Death Journal,” what she calls the remembrance project she’s been making for her beloveds for the end of her life—whenever that occurs.
Inside its pages, her Death Journal contains mementos, messages, song lyrics, poetry, quotes, as well as preferences for end-of-life care. There are also ongoing lists, like “Happiness Is…,” “Comfort Is…,” and others about gratitude and beliefs.
“Basically, it’s me on a page. It’s what I’ve loved and why. It’s my words and wishes. When they open it, my loved ones will find me. They’ll hear my voice. And hopefully they’ll feel my love.” -Francesca
During our time together on retreat, YOU will create the beginnings of your own Death Journal within a supportive community and the beauty of the natural world.
“Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.” -Rachel Naomi Remen
TOPICS
- First, we will start by cultivating a mindset of compassion as we become our own doulas.
- Next, we will explore our connections to self, strength, source, story, and support.
- Then, we will discuss “mortality awareness” and “death wellness” while developing Memento Mori practices.
- Next, we will focus on “planning, preparing, and processing” as we create components of our Death Journals, including core-self lists, life stories, meaningful messages, and more.
- Infused throughout will be guided meditations and visualizations to foster clarity and healing.
By the end of our time together, your Death Journal will be overflowing with creative, inspired entries with space for continued work. You will have a heartfelt legacy gift to keep and/or share with others.
Plus, you’ll have incredible memories of Portugal…
EXPERIENCES
In addition to Death Journaling, we will also enjoy the splendor of cultural immersions. You can look forward to:
- Visiting the Cemitério Municipal de Monchique (the village cemetery) for introspection and journaling
- Enjoying the Termal das Caldas (a thermal spa), with sacred, mineral waters
- Walking the Rota das Árvores Monumentais (Monumental Trees Route), to behold local flora and protected, centennial trees
- A private show with local musicians performing Fado–a soul-stirring musical symbol of Portuguese culture and tradition
INVESTMENT
$2750.00 – Private room with private bathroom
$2500.00 – Semi-private shared room with private bathroom (2 people)
$2250.00 – Shared room with private bathroom (2 people)
- Non-refundable deposit of $500 due at registration
- 50% of remainder due by July 31st
- 100% of payment due by August 31st
- No refunds after August 31st
- Limited spots available!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transportation between Faro Airport (FAO) and VilaFoia (2 pre-arranged group trips each way)
- All meals, including 5 hearty omnivore breakfasts with tea and coffee, 4 delicious packed lunches, 5 vegetarian dinners with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and house wine.
- Accommodations and use of resort grounds and jacuzzi
- One blank hardcover journal
- All Death Journaling activities (“TOPICS” listed above)
- Daily guided meditations/visualizations
- All “EXPERIENCES” listed above
- One pre- and one post-retreat virtual group session
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare to and from Faro Airport
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional food, drinks, shopping, or excursions
- Gratuities
YOUR RETREAT LEADERS
We can’t wait to welcome you to Death Journaling in Portugal and guide you through this amazing journey. Here’s a bit more about us:
Francesca Lynn Arnoldy is a community doula and death literacy advocate. She authored Cultivating the Doula Heart: Essentials of Compassionate Care (a guidebook), Map of Memory Lane (a picture book), and The Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared (an interactive workbook). Francesca is a researcher with the Vermont Conversation Lab and she was the original course developer of the University of Vermont’s End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Programs. A trusted thought-leader, Francesca has been featured in articles by The New York Times, Fast Company, Newsweek, The Verge, and AARP. She regularly presents on life-and-death topics with hopes of encouraging people to support one another through times of intensity.
Kathleen Scacciaferro, RN, MSA, CHTP/I has over 40 years of Holistic Nursing practice in Critical Care and Community School Health. She led nine Educational Travel Courses to Cuba and Mongolia, as credit courses for the University of Vermont. Through her business, Healing Journeys LLC, Kathleen leads Sacred Healers Tours to New Zealand, Egypt, Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska. Through lectures, discussions, experiential learning with Indigenous Healers, cultural immersion, and daily self-care practices in a cross-cultural context, participants explore optimal health care practices for themselves.
Email me in the contact form below with questions about retreats!
And make sure to STAY TUNED re: future retreats!
Francesca Lynn Arnoldy 