Death Nesting Through Living
A 4-Day Retreat

Instructor:
Anne-Marie Keppel
Date & Time Details:
Location:
On-Land:
Program Fee:
Generosity Price - $595
Tuition - $440
Room/Meals Fee:
This will be added in during the registration process.
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Heart Gift:
Donation gift to the teacher.
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Wellness Update:
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Contact Us:
Karmê Chöling
(802) 633-2384
info@karmecholing.org
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: The current tuition price of $440 will increase to $480 on November 15th. Register now!
Heading into the very darkest time of the year makes way for a beautiful opening to contemplate dying and death. Creating space to gather with others in a safe and uplifted environment is a deeply nourishing way to explore the preciousness of life. Through discussions, contemplations and meditative practices we will open to curiosity and the groundless feeling of "not knowing."
Though the topics may feel heavy, or uncomfortable, humor is always incorporated into how Anne-Marie leads groups. Participants are invited to drop all expectations and arrive gently, humbly and ready to engage in living.
Recommended reading in advance of the retreat:
"Death Nesting: The Heart-Centered Practices of a Death Doula" by Anne-Marie Keppel. Copies will be available at the retreat as well.
Contemplations & Meditations - Weekend
During the weekend portion of the retreat (Dec. 8-10th) we will engage in activities and exercises which include:
- Dissolution practice (meditation for dissolving into the elements)
- Perimeter practice (contemplations on distancing emotions from the physical body)
- Sensory exploration
- Mindful nourishment practice
- Tonglen for self and other
- Readying the mind for Advance Directive work
- Laugh therapy
Extended Days
While the weekend portion of the program will focus on the aspects of death nesting for oneself, the extended days (Dec. 11-12th) will open the gateway toward caring for another who is entering the phases of transitioning out of the body. We will discuss specific chapters of the book Death Nesting: The Heart Centered Practices of a Death Doula.
Activities and Discussions:
- Caring for another through the dying process
- Opening sacred space
- Discomforts during caregiving
- Extended journaling time
- Space to wander the beautiful land
Participants will leave the retreat with an expanded vocabulary, confidence for engaging in conversations around death and dying and feel refreshed and awake.
Whether or not you have previously or are currently caring for one who is dying, these trainings and discussions will enhance your everyday living experiences while also mentally preparing you for times in the future.
Though tears are welcome and will certainly flow, this program is not recommended for those who are actively grieving or for one who has received a recent diagnosis that feels acutely traumatizing.
We are also offering a shorter version of this program:
Pricing
Karmê Chöling values its commitment to making programs affordable and available to all who wish to study with us. To support this commitment we provide two program price options.
Generosity Price: $595.00
You're able to help us with this commitment by choosing the "Generosity Price". The money above the basic tuition cost goes into a scholarship fund for those who might not be able to attend a program otherwise.
Tuition: $440.00
This is the price of the program, it does not include housing options or material fees.
Please Note:
Price does not include accommodations, which will be added during the registration process.
Policies
Payment Policies:
Please read the payment policy before proceeding with registration.
Financial Aid:
Karmê Chöling offers full-time student discounts, scholarships and other financial aid.
Program Credit:
If using existing program credit to pay for a program, you must pre-register for this program at least two weeks prior to the program start date by calling the front desk (802-633-2384 x3000). Program credit may not be used to pay for housing or practice materials and may not be used on or after arrival day.
Instructor

Anne-Marie Keppel is a death doula educator and founder of the nonprofit Village Deathcare. A nurse assistant, Reiki Master, and lifelong meditator, she guides individuals transitioning out of life and assists families with the end-of-life journey. Experienced in home funerals, green burials, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, her work as a death doula has been published nationally in the Washington Times, on USNews.com, and in PULP Magazine. She won an Independent Publisher “IPPY” award in 2020. Anne-Marie delights in the joy of living with her family in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
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