Ellen is a retired hospice grief counselor in Duluth, MN, and Hospital Chaplain at Fairview Southdale in Edina, MN. She maintains a private practice, Rites of Change: moving through transitions well, counseling individuals, families, and communities on grief and loss of all kinds.

She is a longtime advocate for the option of home funerals, and after death transformations by opening pathways that honor the letting go process. For example, one kind of ceremony is a sacred body washing and body preparation after death. All ceremonies are created with respect, love, kindness, and compassion. Through her private practice, Ellen currently teach seminarians, graduate students, hospice volunteers, and the general public how to create sacred moments by being presence and inviting the holy into the room.
Saturday, 10:45am

Panel Discussion: Our Partners in Creating Ceremony

Ceremonies are an invitation for healing individuals, families and communities during times of transition and loss.  The use of symbolism, metaphors and traditions invites us to step out our daily lives and into a sacred space where healing and transformation can occur.  Done in collaboration and in community, ceremonies can have a profound effect on how one walks with their grief.  Hear about the role of a Chaplain, Clergy and Celebrant, how we each approach and serve families by creating a bridge for this rite of passage.

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​We’ll see you October 4!