Classes & Workshops
The Sacred Crossings Institute offers classes and workshops in conscious dying, home funerals, advance planning and a certificate doula training in The Art of Death Midwifery.
Students are professional and non-professional end-of-this-life caregivers, death doulas, spiritual seekers and those seeking to broaden their knowledge of the dying process.
Our philosophy is based upon Theosophical teachings and spiritual texts from a variety of religious traditions.
The following classes are facilitated by our founder, Rev. Olivia Bareham and are offered throughout the year both in person in Los Angeles and New York and also online.
Please join our mailing list via the link at the bottom of this page for information regarding class dates and locations
If you would like to host a class in your area please write to Olivia or call: 310-968-2763.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to sharing this sacred journey with you.
Classes
ENTER The GRAVE – Facing the fear of dying
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” – Joseph Campbell Enter The Grave is an intensive, interactive workshop that delves into the essence of being alive and what it means to die. Students learn tools to liberate them from the fear of dying; ease pain and suffering and become profoundly comfortable with the unknown. Dive into the mystery. Join us for an unforgettable experience! “This workshop rocked my world. The exercises were so deep, so profound, I feel changed at a core level. It was not what I...
read moreCONSCIOUS DYING – Death Doula Certification
CONSCIOUS DYING – Preparing yourself and loved-ones for a peaceful transition This class is Level II of the Art of Death Midwifery Certificate Training program and is also our doula training. It is open to anyone wishing to learn how to have a conscious dying experience, free from suffering. “Not only did this workshop meet my expectations, but it went far beyond into the depths of my soul. Olivia has a beautiful way of weaving the practical with deep spiritual wisdom amongst her teaching.” – Alexi Hedlund This class, an...
read moreTHE ART of DEATH MIDWIFERY – Certificate training program
The Art of Death Midwifery is a 75-hour intensive certificate training for death doulas, professional and non-professional end-of-life caregivers and those seeking to prepare for a conscious, peaceful transition. The program includes training in the roles of spiritual counsellor, death doula and home funeral guide in all aspects of the dying process from terminal diagnosis to final disposition. For class details and the 2021 Winter/Spring schedule, please visit: The Art of Death Midwifery Level I: ENTER THE GRAVE – Spiritual...
read moreYOUR FINAL FOOTPRINT – Webinar
Understand your options for natural after-death care, home funerals, green burial, sea burial and alternative cremations. Sunday, – Date TBD 2 – 4 pm Webinar “Astounding information! A very informative presentation.” – S. Barr $20 PAY HERE Zoom information will be given to registered participants. Call for details: 310-968-2763 Most of us die without making adequate funeral or burial arrangements and the many complex decisions are left to grieving relatives at a very emotionally vulnerable time. Relieve...
read moreAFTER THE LAST BREATH – Level III
AFTER THE LAST BREATH Care of the body, home funerals, final disposition and bereavement The role of the death midwife from the final breath through the 3-day home vigil, funeral and final disposition. This workshop is a stand alone class and also Level III of The Art of Death Midwifery Training. Prerequisite – Conscious Dying ‘The beauty of the act of caring for the dead is breathtaking – I now understand how sacred this work is, it is truly an honor.’ Bruna Amaral Topics to be covered include: Unexpected death: holding space in the ER...
read moreFUNERAL CELEBRANT TRAINING – 2021 Webinar
A certificate training for celebrants and anyone wishing to create a personal and meaningful ‘Celebration of Life’ ceremony for a loved-one. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, this class will be offered via ZOOM and will include practical tools for conducting virtual funeral and memorial ceremonies, mourning rituals, and final farewell ceremonies at bedside via phone and video conference. This workshop is highly interactive. Students are encouraged to think outside the box while writing and collaborating with others to produce...
read morePreparing for the Big Departure – Webinar
When we go on vacation or move house to a new city we make a plan to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Understanding our options and the possible pitfalls, gives us the opportunity to take precautions to ensure that our whole family navigates the adventure as smoothly as possible. The same is true for when we embark on our death journey. Since we don’t know the time or the date of our departure, it’s important to learn everything possible about what we might expect ahead of time. When we write our wishes down,...
read moreThe Advance Death Care Directive
Rumi
Death has nothing to do with going away.
The sun sets
The moon sets
But they are not gone.
- Rumi
Hermann Broch
"No one's death comes to pass without making some impression, and those close to the deceased inherit part of the liberated soul and become richer in their humanness.”
- Hermann Broch
unknown Japanese poet
In times of grief
and sorrow
flowers bloom
even then
- unknown Japanese poet
Sir Francis Bacon
"Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home."
- Sir Francis Bacon
Rev. Olivia Rose
"Death invites you to fall in love…it’s the fragility of life that makes you weep with helplessness."
- Rev. Olivia Rose
David Searls
"Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean."
- David Searls
Paramahansa Yogananda
“When I am gone, only love can take my place.”
- Paramahansa Yogananda
Sir William Gladstone
"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of the people, their respect for the law of the land and their loyalties to high morals."
- Sir William Gladstone
Ram Dass
“We are all just walking each other home.”
- Ram Dass
Joseph Campbell
"The cave you most fear to enter contains the greatest treasure."
- Joseph Campbell
Lao Tzu
"Take care with the end
As you do with the beginning."
- Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching
Walt Whitman : Song of Myself
All goes onward and outward,
Nothing collapses
And to die is different from what anyone supposed,
and luckier…
- Walt Whitman : Song of Myself