Death Becomes Her

What does it mean to truly show up when someone you love has died? Not to observe from a distance, not to hand everything off to strangers — but to stay close, use your hands, and do something rather than have something done. In this episode, three stories. A man who handed a death doula a list of names and died four days later, trusting that his people would figure it out. A family who drove thro...

For decades, the Paris Morgue was one of the city’s most popular attractions. Thousands of people lined up each day to look at the dead bodies pulled from the Seine, displayed on marble slabs, their stories unknown. This wasn’t an anomaly. It was part of a culture built on observation. From the wandering flâneur to the spectacle of cabarets, from the underground atmosphere of the catacombs to the...

What happens when grief has nowhere to go? In this episode, we explore why gathering matters after a death--whether that gathering is a formal funeral, an intimate dinner, or something we create ourselves. From the spectacle of the Duke of Wellington’s funeral and Charles Dickens’ sharp critique, to the overwhelming public mourning of Rudolph Valentino, we look at what happens when ritual overwhel...

www.leavingwellmt.com Instagram: leaving.well.death.doula Tiktok: Death Doula LiElla In this episode of Death Becomes Her , LiElla explores how human behavior changes when time becomes visible, through two unexpected cultural phenomena, Unus Annus and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Beneath the streets of Palermo lies a haunting yet deeply human story—the Capuchin Catacombs, where the dead remain eerily present. In this episode, we step into the dim corridors lined with mummified monks, aristocrats, and children, exploring the motivations behind their unusual burials. What drove people to preserve their bodies in such a dramatic fashion? How did visitors of the past experienc...

In this episode, LiElla takes a look at the fascinating history of the Whitechapel Club, a late 19th-century group of journalists who embraced gallows humor, irreverence, and a deep fascination with mortality. With their macabre decor and unconventional rituals, the club served as a stark reflection of their time—and perhaps, of ours. Join me as I draw parallels between the Whitechapel Club’s dark...

Ever heard of Sin-Eaters? In this fast-paced episode, LiElla dives into the fascinating history of these mysterious figures who were believed to take on the sins of the dead. From the past rituals to preserving legacy today, we'll explore how this tradition connects to the modern role of death doulas – and how, in many ways, we’re still 'eating' the worries of the dying and their loved ones. Get r...

LiElla takes a look at the history of medical cadavers and discusses what you need to consider if you would like to donate your body to science.

On the latest episode, LiElla takes a look at the excess associated with Victorian mourning rituals and compares them to modern bereavement practices. How do we stack up?

LiElla shares a personal story of loss.

LiElla discusses the intertwining history of suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge and the lessons that we can learn from the past. **Content warning for this episode. This podcast episode contains sensitive subject matter discussing suicide, personal experiences, and detailed medical descriptions that aren’t suitable for all audiences.

Who is this feather-plumed, skeletal woman? Where did she come from? Why is she here? And what does she have in common with Santa Claus?

Did Vladimir Lenin start a trend? Some are choosing a procedure known as Extreme Embalming as a way to honor their loved ones after death, as they were in life. LiElla takes a look at the process and the motivations behind the choice.

"The times, they are a changin.'" Modern life can create challenges when it comes to navigating end-of-life. Death Doulas are working to fill the gaps.

LiElla takes a dive into the science of rigor mortis, how funeral homes handle the phenomenon and how it can be managed in the home funeral setting.

The tragedy of Pedro and Inez, the iconic first couple of Portugal.

LiElla discusses the variety of styles and practices that end-of-life doulas employ. We're not one size fits all.

LiElla discusses the stress and strains that we experience as we navigate End-of-Life with our loved ones and strategies to help us move through the tough times with grace.

LiElla shares her "taphophiliac" tendencies as she walks you through her love of cemeteries and how we benefit from strolling graveyards.

LiElla explores Threshold Choirs to support end-of-life transitions.

Let's take a look at what is really involved in body disposition, from traditional burial to human composting.

Stress can be hard to handle. How can we work through stressful situations while maintaining physical and emotional equilibrium?

The history of La Calavera Catrina

End of Life wishes that are a smidge unusual.

A look at how we might be guilty of dismissing the grief of others or ourselves.