The Death Network

The Death Network A collective for the living, the dying and the grieving. San Diego, CA
lnk.bio/thedeathnetwork

06/04/2026

I’m getting ready for Death over Drafts in Anaheim tonight… after waking up with that familiar feeling in my belly. It used to be pure anxiety day of the event, now it’s more of a mixture of anxiety and excitement. I’ll say 80% excitement 20% anxiety 🤪

As death workers, stepping into the spotlight and hosting events like Death Cafe may not be in our wheelhouse naturally, but it is a skill we can hone.
I’ve hosted many many events between my first Death Cafe and this event tonight, it took me a while to get comfortable, but it’s finally happening! And, while I was practicing my host skills, a community was forming around The Death Network - people were showing up to the events and thanking me for bringing this topic out of the darkness and into the light.

I started a Meet Up account before the first Death Cafe and it has grown significantly! There are now over 1900 members and we have a 4.9 ⭐️ rating with almost 300 reviews! I also post events on .sd

My advice is to show up as your awkward, anxious self, and just settle into the space.
In these places, all you need to be is the welcoming presence that creates a space for honest open dialogue.

⬇️Tell me about your experience, hosting death events, and discussion group groups. Thanks so much!


Here’s what we think… there is no right way to explore life, death and grief. Some conversations happen over a beer, som...
06/03/2026

Here’s what we think… there is no right way to explore life, death and grief.

Some conversations happen over a beer, some happen when we slow down and make space for honest connection, and some in a room where grief is given the space it deserves.

Our June events reflect the reality that no 2 people experience loss, mortality or meaning in the same way. Whether you’re seeking community, education, reflection or connection, there’s a place for you.

Here’s the line up for June:
🍻June 4 6pm Death Over Drafts Anaheim

🙋🏻‍♀️ June 8 6 pm Zoom Q&A with The Death Network death doulas

🌊 June 14 9:30 am Waves of Grief Fletcher Cove

🧩 June 20 4pm Living with Grief discussion group with

☕️ June 27 10am Death Cafe Encinitas with

🌳 June 28 12pm Eco-Fest Encinitas with .lea.waugh

🧘‍♀️ Every Thursday 5:45 pm Restorative yoga for grief with .lea.waugh

☀️ you’ll find all our events at www.TheDeathNetwork.com/events or look for The Death Network on Meet Up.
We hope to see you soon!

What if death doulas expanded their knowledge beyond end-of-life support and into funeral arranging?In California, famil...
06/02/2026

What if death doulas expanded their knowledge beyond end-of-life support and into funeral arranging?

In California, families can legally care for their own dead and hold home funerals without hiring a funeral director - but death care is highly regulated and doula work is not Funeral arranger training gives doulas the knowledge to help families navigate paperwork, timelines, tending to the body, and legal requirements with confidence.

The death care landscape is changing fast. By 2028, nearly 60% of funeral directors are expected to retire or leave the profession, just as the Silver Tsunami reaches its peak. Families will need knowledgeable guides who can help them navigate both the emotional and practical realities of death. This is where trained death doulas can make a real difference.

The future of death care isn’t doulas or funeral directors, it’s both! Forward-thinking funeral professionals and well-trained doulas can work together to create better experiences for families while ensuring they understand all of their options.

And let’s be clear: just because you’re a certified funeral arranger doesn’t mean you can go all willy-nilly making arrangements for people. Funeral arranging is highly regulated, and you’ll need to partner with a licensed funeral home or funeral director when services require it. That’s where the magic happens. When death doulas, funeral arrangers, and forward-thinking funeral professionals work together, families receive better support, more education, and more meaningful choices. This kind of collaboration has the power to reshape death care for the better. To quote .death.empath - find a death-bestie funeral director like we did 💜

I’d love to hear your thoughts!
⬇️ Tell me in the comments.

Want to learn more about the life of a death doula?
Join The Death Network’s monthly Death Doula Q&A:
📅 Monday, June 8
🕕 6:00 PM PST
🔗 $5 RSVP Link in Bio

Bring all your questions. Nothing is off the table!

I’m on year 3 of building my own doula practice and I still need my nanny gig to fill in the financial gaps. It worries...
06/02/2026

I’m on year 3 of building my own doula practice and I still need my nanny gig to fill in the financial gaps. It worries me that there is so much interest in becoming a death doula - and getting certified is great… But nobody is really talking about how to get your practice off the ground!

That is the conversation I want to start having - but in the meantime, I’d love to know what your side hustle is 💪🏼 leave a comment below!

While my side hustle doesn’t quite pay what Nicole’s does, the amount of joy and love that I receive from being a nanny keeps me firmly grounded and able to do death work 💗

entrepreneur

06/01/2026

Pretty in Pink… and Prepared. 💗

Sue understood the assignment. Pink hair, pink dress, and a pink POLST form to match.

Many people have an Advance Directive, but fewer know about a POLST (or MOLST, depending on your state). While an Advance Directive names your healthcare agent and outlines your wishes, a POLST is a medical order completed with your healthcare provider and signed by a physician or other authorized clinician. It translates your wishes into actionable medical orders that can be followed by emergency responders, hospitals, and care teams.

A POLST is especially important for people with serious illness, advanced age, or complex medical conditions. It addresses decisions such as CPR, hospitalization, and other life-sustaining treatments, helping ensure your wishes are known and honored when it matters most.

Planning ahead isn’t about giving up - it’s about making sure your voice is heard, even if you can’t speak for yourself.

💗 Have the conversation. Complete the paperwork. Give your loved ones the gift of clarity.

06/01/2026

Pretty in Pink… and Prepared. 💗

Sue understood the assignment. Pink hair, pink dress, and a pink POLST form to match.

Many people have an Advance Directive, but fewer know about a POLST (or MOLST, depending on your state). While an Advance Directive names your healthcare agent and outlines your wishes, a POLST is a medical order completed with your healthcare provider and signed by a physician or other authorized clinician. It translates your wishes into actionable medical orders that can be followed by emergency responders, hospitals, and care teams.

A POLST is especially important for people with serious illness, advanced age, or complex medical conditions. It addresses decisions such as CPR, hospitalization, and other life-sustaining treatments, helping ensure your wishes are known and honored when it matters most.

Planning ahead isn’t about giving up—it’s about making sure your voice is heard, even if you can’t speak for yourself.

💗 Have the conversation. Complete the paperwork. Give your loved ones the gift of clarity.

If you’d like help or guidance with your advanced directives or POLST forms we can help! DM or visit www.TheDeathNetwork.com

05/31/2026

Home funerals and vigils invite us to honor the pause.

When someone dies, there is no need to rush. Taking time to sit with the reality of the loss, gather loved ones, share stories, and care for the body can help us begin to process the transition from dying to death. Those are different experiences, and slowing down creates space for grief to unfold naturally.

Home funerals are legal in all US states, though the specific requirements vary. Be sure to check the laws where you live.

In California, HSC 7100 states families may keep their person at home for a reasonable amount of time after death (there is no specific timeline!) typically more than enough time to hold a home funeral, vigil, or farewell visit before being in the care of a funeral home.

Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do after a death is simply resist the urge to hurry. ❤️

if you want to know more about our home, funeral and visual offerings in partnership with visit www.TheDeathNetwork.com

05/30/2026

You’re invited to Death over Drafts June 4 in Anaheim 🍻 if you’re curious about what these gatherings are all about, check out this video with death doulas .lea.waugh and .endoflifedoula of The Death Network.

is a casual, welcoming gathering where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and have honest conversations about life, death, grief, and everything in between.

Whether you’re death-curious, have questions you’ve never had a chance to ask, or simply enjoy meaningful conversation, there’s a seat for you at the table.

🌟 We’ve got an All-Star line up for June 4th! lea.waugh and .endoflifedoula from The Death Network
Medical Aid in Dying specialists
Modern funeral and cremation company
doulas & death-workers
our favorite game!

Join us June 4th
6-8 pm
in Anaheim and help us normalize the conversations that matter most.

➡️RSVP link in bio

a

05/29/2026

🤷🏻‍♀️ Who else has a mobile ritual basket with all the essentials?

Mine includes:
🕯️LED candles
💨Aromatherapy diffuser
🌺Flowers
💫Small crystals & keepsakes
📚Poetry book

Today I’m using it to create a small altar for grief yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️ with
Cass and I host a restorative yoga class for grief every Thursday at 5:45 PM. It’s a great place to connect with others, slow down and listen to your body 💗

05/28/2026

We do a lot of these senior fair community events and it’s always amazing to us how little the general population knows about their legal end of life options.

We want people to consider their lifestyle when they opt for their death style… which means crafting an end of life experience that authentically reflects the life you lived.

Home funerals and vigils are legal in every state! In California, here are a few of the rules:

🏡 there is no time limit for how long you can keep your person home after death (HSC 7100)

🏡 with a little bit of preplanning, a vigil or home funeral can easily take place after death.

🏡 a Death Doula can guide chosen family, and friends through a gentle body washing and caring for person after death.

💗 honoring the pause gives our hearts, minds and bodies time to settle into a new type of grief.

What do you think about home funerals and vigils?

for information about home funerals in your state.

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San Diego, CA
92110

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