About

What is “community deathcare”?

Community deathcare is a movement that brings death, dying, and after-death care back into the hands of everyday people. It focuses on education, choice, and connection—helping individuals and families plan ahead, understand their options, and create meaningful, personal rituals. Instead of relying solely on commercial systems, it encourages community involvement, compassionate support, and sustainable practices that honor death as a natural part of life.

Mission

We normalize our natural curiosity about mortality, so that every grieving and dying person is provided with companionship, compassion, and community.

Vision

To make Ada and West Michigan communities where no one faces death and grief alone—and to inspire the world to follow our example.

Values

• Curiosity: tapping into our innate skills of noticing and exploring, even when it’s hard.
• Companionship: the simple act of walking beside someone.  
• Community: the network of care we create by showing up for one another through life, death, and everything in between.