Author Archives: Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but retire a little from sight and afterwards return again.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posted on February 6, 2020 by Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)
Posted in A Rite of Passage | Leave a comment

Our Monthly Tip: Invite a Therapy Dog to Your Loved One’s Funeral

Therapy dogs are on staff at a growing number of funeral homes
Posted on January 25, 2020 by Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Our Tip of The Month In the 1970s, several national therapy dog organizations emerged in the United States. These organizations registered handler and dog teams who volunteered in non-emergency environments and were trained to provide comfort and support for people … Continue reading →

Posted in Practical Tips | Leave a comment

“Death Is Stupid” by Anastasia Higgenbotham

A children's book that tells it like it is
Posted on January 17, 2020 by Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“Death Is Stupid” is the second installment in the Ordinary Terrible Things book series from author Anastasia Higgenbotham. The Ordinary Terrible Things series tackles stories of common childhood crises to help readers ages 4-8 navigate troubles and trauma with “their … Continue reading →

Posted in Lending Insight | Leave a comment

“I’ll Cover You” by Jonathan Larson

A song from the musical "Rent" reminds us that love can support us even in moments of enormous grief
Posted on December 31, 2019 by Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“I’ll Cover You” and “Take Me Or Leave Me,” are duets from the smash hit musical “Rent.”  Both songs feature same sex characters declaring their love for each other, marking a milestone for the depiction of queer characters in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressive Music | Leave a comment

An Imam Talks About Muslim Traditions Around Death

Osama Bin-Mahfouz is the manager of the Islamic Center of Southern California and director of its funeral home
Posted on December 22, 2019 by Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Though Muslim traditions around death can vary from region to region, Sharia (Islamic religious law) calls for a fairly specific set of rites: burial of the body as soon as possible, preceded by bathing and prayer. When a Muslim is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives | 1 Comment

Volunteering to Prevent Suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge

An interview with Mia Munayer, founder of Bridgewatch Angels
Posted on December 11, 2019 by Ellary Allis (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Mia Munayer is the fiercely intelligent, compassionate, self-possessed founder of Bridgewatch Angels, a group that works to prevent suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge, and a police lieutenant in Pleasanton, California, a suburb of the Bay Area. Munayer was made … Continue reading →

Posted in Professional Advice | 3 Comments