Death & Dying in Four Seasons
August 2025 - April 2026
Meeting monthly in Sandy, Oregon
I look forward to welcoming a new Death & Dying cohort to the mountain this Summer.
This monthly commitment is an opportunity to discuss how death is woven into myriad relationships at home, at work, on a societal level and globally. Right now, it feels more vital than ever.
Give yourself the gift of this time & together we’ll face the inevitable truth that binds us all together: we all experience loss and are transformed by death.
If you think this might be a good fit for you, please review the information below, then feel free to reach out with questions.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Big Picture.
This program intends to be a meaningful monthly gathering anchored in curiosity and a commitment to learn by listening to others, choosing to share, and engaging resources offered for self study.
Think of it like a multi-media book club with extra built-in opportunities to eat, discuss, reflect, puzzle, play, laugh and possibly cry in the woods, gardens, or on the couch.
ONCE A MONTH, WE…
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Schedule.
SUMMER OPENING: Aug 30-31 Campout, Sat 9am - Sunday 4pm
FALL SATURDAYS 1pm-8:30
Oct 4 , Nov 15
No DECEMBER
WINTER SATURDAYS 1pm-8:30
Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 7
SPRING CLOSING: April 25-26 Campout, Sat 9am - Sunday 4pm
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Cost
This is a labor of love for me and your presence is a gift, yet there are still expenses in this work. A monetary gift helps pay for food and beverages prepared for us at our campouts, and materials for the experience.
I’m inviting you to participate on a suggested sliding scale after your initial deposit.
Please don’t let cost be a barrier. Reach out if it is…
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific death and dying topics will we explore?
I’ve crafted an experience that is collaborative, creative, heart-centered, but pragmatic and able to meet us where we are in our experience with death and dying. With that said, the first 3-4 months focus on End-of-Life(EOL) experiences, and the last few months on After Death experiences.
Topics can cover the following, but may shift based on our group needs: Personal relationships to death, dying and grief; History of death ways in the US & abroad; Cultural complexities, accessibility & justice relationships; Planning for our own death; Paperwork & navigating legal systems; Deathworkers & their roles; Hospice & Dying at home; Medical Aid in Dying or Death With Dignity; VSED; Suicide; Navigating difficult conversations; Final disposition options; Home funerals; Vigils & ceremonies; Grief processes & support; Medicinal mushrooms & other relationships of support; Anticipatory grief; Climate extinctions; War, natural disasters, pandemics; Community Care Groups
What is your experience in Death & Dying education?
I started this work in 2005 while doing graduate work at Portland State University. Feel free to read details about my background, education and approach HERE.
I’m not able to make every weekend. Can I still attend?
This group is a commitment and gift to yourself and your community. It is shaped by the contributions we all bring to each experience, and showing up each month is the first big step. Knowing in advance that you will miss one weekend is understandable as long as it isn’t the first or last overnight.
If you think you’ll miss more than one weekend, however, I recommend waiting to jump into this, because something else unexpected often comes up like illness or a last minute obligation we can’t neglect . Thank you for giving the schedule your careful consideration.
How much time do I need to dedicate to studying on my own in between weekends?
I’ll provide common threads in the form of reading, watching and listening, in order to develop baseline frames of reference and some common language.
This is approximately 3 hours of commitment depending on your choices and pacing.
Outside of that baseline, each of us is encouraged to explore, research and reflect in ways that nourish our own lives, as well as the lives of our families and communities. I may provide some “choose your own adventure” style materials for folks who want some guidance, or you can just blaze your own trail.
What will our months together look like?
THE FRAMEWORK for each weekend is designed to feed the whole person, utilizing inquiry-based learning that involves active listening, sharing and some organized activities meant to build group understanding and connection. We’ll have open and closing routines, discussion, viewing and reflection, and end each day with a potluck dinner. I also build in solo time, which can be outside in the garden or forest, or one of our inside quiet spaces.
What kind of group boundaries do we set? Are children welcome?
As the facilitator, I present the group with a set of boundaries that I’ve found useful in this setting and then ask the group to discuss and suggest ways to modify them during our first weekend. Feel free to review the boundaries we kept in our last cohort.
We all work together as a group to reinforce these guidelines.
CHILDREN ARE WELCOME, AND…
I trust that you know what they need and will give serious thought to whether this is an appropriate experience for your family.
There may be times when we discuss topics, or ways we reflect and share our grief that you may decide isn’t suitable for your kids, or the group may request private adult time on occasion to discuss certain topics on the table. We can figure that out on a month by month basis, and initiate a conversation if you want to plan ahead.
What do the campout accomodations look like?
Everyone will have access to the indoors for all needs beyond sleeping.
Our land has open space and cedar groves(depending on weather) for everyone to pitch a tent. The ground can be lumpy, but an air mattress or inflatable camping pad works well. There are also 3 hammocks, which will work well for dry camping during our August weekend. Let me know if you’d like to sleep in your vehicle and we’ll try to park you accordingly.
If you have special needs while sleeping, reach out and we can see if an indoor space may work better for you.
Other special needs?
Please reach out and let’s see what we are able to accommodate! At this time, we are not a home that can accommodate folks with mobility challenges that require mechanical assists like wheelchairs or scooters. There are a few stairs up to the main floor.
What should I do if I’m feeling ill?
Please stay home. We will miss you, but appreciate your care.
Our group shares meals, and therefore see little point in asking anyone to wear a mask when they attend these weekends. What I do ask is that folks stay home if they are experiencing symptoms that could spread illness to others. Thank you for this consideration.
Can I share this invite? What about on social media?
Please Feel free to share this invite through word-of-mouth, personal interactions, email or text, with someone you know. I’m not opening this up to the general public at this time, so I’d like to keep it off social media.
How can I RSVP?
If you’ve read all the details above and think this is a good fit for you, please let me know by emailing to see if there is open space and let me know how you’d like to pay your deposit: june@juniperjacobson.com
See the Cost section above to review deposit info.