We recently connected with Schakara Arrazola-Tiscareno and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Schakara, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
In the United States our systems are set up to treat death as a medical event. Causing our loved ones to be isolated and alone. This creates double trauma, not only for the dying but for all who are left behind trying to navigate their grieving process. Our society only gives around two weeks of grief support. As a Death Doula our focus is to bring the community back into Death and Dying. Not only do we promote a more holistic and green burial approach to the whole end of life process. We aid in allowing loved ones to die with dignity by making sure their voice is heard, their wants and wishes are respected while holding a safe and loving space providing compassionate Soul Care.
Our Death Cafes are weekly. It is a group directed discussion of Death with no agenda, objectives or themes. Welcoming all with an open mind and heart to explore one of life’s certainties in a relaxed and friendly environment – with tea and cake!
Schakara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am the founder of Love & WithStand. My role in end of life support expands from home funeral guide, ordained minister and death educator/facilitator.
As a Death Doula, I offer guidance on how to care for our dying loved ones. Working to give families the tools they need to provide care up to and through the active-dying phase. I assist with bedside care, sit vigil, and facilitate open, honest conversations.
For families interested in Love & WithStand, I provide educational consultations on post-death body preparation, home funerals, natural/green burials, and offer guidance on how to bring creativity and deeper meaning to conventional services.
My services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Advance Care Planning
Celebrations of Life
Funerals
Grief and Bereavement
Guided Meditation
Home Funerals
Legacy Projects
Life Review
Living Funerals
Memorial Services
Crystal Healing
Essential Oils
Reiki/Energy Work
Spiritual Guidance
Support for Caregiver
Vigil Planning
I offer clients a wide range of services including, but not limited to the following:
A warm, comforting, and respectful presence that mediates fear of both the known and unknown assistance preparing for the practical and psychological/emotional aspects of dying. Guided meditation for relief of stress and discomfort. Assistance related to family communications surrounding the impending death. Help preparing final letters, completing albums, journaling, and creating legacy projects such as works of art, music, or text that will represent the dying and remind the living of the presence, personality, and spirit of the deceased organization of essential papers, other materials, and sitting vigil.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Life is Resiliency. I say this because I experienced a lot of childhood trauma at a very young age. Surviving extreme trauma fosters strength and resilience. Being raised in a private Catholic Church, with nuns and all was tough. I did not fit the traditional standards, my dearest friends and I were the misfits. We were more fluid in our sexuality and personal preferences. We did not conform to the norms and we’re often isolated by our peers.
As resilience continues to be a life lesson my best friend, Cady committed suicide my senior year of High School. She was a junior at the time and her death changed the course of my life entirely. I was so lost and alone, grieving her death. I stumbled for years trying to find support and resources. Through my own healing journey and with Cady’s inspiration I was called to serve our community with my Interfaith Ministry, Death Doula, and Spiritual Healer.
Resiliency has taught me how to not only WithStand but thrive in this life. It is the backbone to my business, my mission, and to be my authentic-self. To withstand is to stand up, rise and endure. When we think of passive resistance, it is non-violent, allowing love to lead a life of bravery…..
Resilience is to Love & WithStand.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
As a guide, my clients are often in the most vulnerable moments in their life. I believe in ongoing support, and strong connections by providing an open door policy. The loved ones I work with, have various ways to reach me which fosters their personal preferences. I find healthy boundaries to be very important. My clients respect my standards knowing that I will always respond to any individual questions and support their needs along their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovenwithstand.com
- Instagram: love.n.withstand
- Facebook: Love.N.WithStand
- Linkedin: LoveN WithStand
- Youtube: Love & WithStand
- Other: www.DeathCafe.com www.DeathDoulas.com https://www.nedalliance.org/end-of-life_doulas_a_through_m.html
Image Credits
Anahata Healing LLC