Author Archives: Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

GRIEF Act Introduced in Congress

National legislation would increase access to bereavement services
Posted on November 4, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

The Grief Resilience Investment and Education Fund, or GRIEF Act, was recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25). The legislation aims to expand national funding for grief counseling and bereavement programs. If passed, $250 million in … Continue reading →

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Headstone Hunter Shares the Beautiful Side of Cemeteries

Author, photographer, and artist aspires to make death a little less scary
Posted on October 20, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Jeane Trend-Hill is known as the Headstone Hunter in the U.K. She has been obsessed with death since childhood. While mourners stood over graves, Trend-Hill wandered off to see the  statues of angels, crosses and doves. After she lost both … Continue reading →

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“Words at the Threshold: What We Say As We’re Nearing Death” by Lisa Smartt

Transcendental worlds may be revealed in end-of-life ramblings
Posted on October 13, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“Words at a Threshold: What We Say as We’re Nearing Death.” examines the final idioms uttered from the lips of our dying loved ones. Author Lisa Smartt contends they may hold deeper meaning than mere words. Smartt’s father offered incoherent … Continue reading →

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“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

This popular movie soundtrack pays homage to a heartfelt hero lost
Posted on October 5, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“Wind Beneath My Wings,” recorded by Bette Midler in 1988, was a short-lived number one hit. This ballad serves as the signature song to the album and Academy Award nominated melodrama of the same name, “Beaches.” The movie co-stars Midler … Continue reading →

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Dying at Home May Not Be As Peaceful As Promised

Researchers and practitioners underscore the misconception
Posted on September 27, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

If you ask most Americans, dying at home tops their list of how they prefer to die. There is a societal perception that a “good death” is likened to the comforts of home. Obituaries generally strengthen that notion: “died peacefully … Continue reading →

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Your Loved One’s Possessions Are More Than Just “Stuff”

An interview with Rachel Kodanaz on sorting and repurposing their lifetime treasures
Posted on September 14, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Rachel Kodanaz is a seasoned writer, speaker, and motivator on the topic of life transitions, including grief. For over 20 years, Kodanaz has inspired audiences to embrace the challenges associated with the loss of a loved one. Her books, “Living … Continue reading →

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