March Newsletter

We're celebrating!

This month marks twenty years of Sacred Crossings! I want to take a minute to acknowledge this fun fact and declare my commitment to writing and sharing all that I've learned along the years.

Twenty years as a Death Midwife. Fifteen years as a facilitator for Conscious Dying education and ten years as the co-founder of the Sacred Crossings Alternative Funeral Home. It's been quite a ride.

And it all started with Mother...

When mother died, Sacred Crossings was born. Birth and Death, they meet at the same point on the circle of life. It's the same doorway. Death feeds life. When mother died, she gave life to Sacred Crossings.

There's this quote by Glennon Doyle Melton;

"What breaks your heart? The warrior knows that her

heartbreak is her map. It will lead her toward her purpose,

her tribe".

I had no idea what my purpose was until the funeral home took mother's body away. I wasn't ready. It was too soon. I needed more time to feel, to integrate, to open to who I was Without Mother. When they took mother's body too soon, the wrenching broke my heart.

That heartbreak became my map and led me to my tribe. Today, I bow in gratitude to all those who have supported the Sacred Crossings journey and stuck with me through the all of it. Thank you!

To my teacher and mentor Jerrigrace Lyons; to the loyal friends and relatives who played 'dead' while I practiced on them, who dropped everything to help build caskets, deliver ashes, attend cremations (and a lot of other things, that we wont describe here).

Thank you!

To all the Death Doula students who now sit bedside with the dying or have become Sacred Crossing Guides supporting families with home funerals or have gone on to become influencers and spread the word (shout out to Alua Arthur!)

To my virtual assistants who help keep everything running smoothly, Paige and Temi and to my colleagues Alex and Carla who ensure that our funeral home continues to maintain the sacred while honoring loved-one's final wishes. Thank you.

Most importantly, to all those who generously shared their dying journey and to the courageous loved-ones who cared for them every step of the way home. You have taught me so much. Thank you!

Sacred Crossings remains committed to changing the culture of death and dying, one body at a time.

You are helping. Your curiosity, your loving awareness and your willingness to be led where you'd rather not go, is changing your perception of what it means to die. That shift in perception is changing the collective consciousness also. We're doing it!

This journey into the field of death and dying has increased my capacity to love, accept, forgive, let go and receive. I receive all that life brings me with profound gratitude and appreciation, and, I'm good to go at a moment's notice.

It is my greatest pleasure to teach everything I have learned to anyone who is curious to know.

If you have not yet attended a conscious dying class or training, please take a moment to review our Spring programs below and please share with anyone who may benefit from these teachings. Thank you!

With love,

Olivia

p.s. The Writer's retreat is very special. See below.

SPRING CLASSES & TRAININGS

April is our last In-Person class till November.

You are welcome to jump in at level II as each class is a complete stand alone.

Check out our Fall & Winter Programs!

Classes are limited to retain the intimacy of the group

Early registration recommended

WRITERS RETREAT!

Sink into the divine on 60 acres of secluded ocean-front property

in B.C. Canada for our annual

'Semi-Silent Writer's Retreat'

SEPTEMBER 3 - 9, 2025

Limited to 6 participants!

Participants gather for morning movement, breakfast and check-in, then find a spot in the forest, on the beach or in the gardens to write, meditate, journal or simply 'be', in silence.

We gather again in the evenings for a glorious feast and sharing.

Wrap yourself in nature, sink into the quiet, find your authentic voice

and write, write, write.

Treat yourself - you deserve it.

Write to: SacredCrossings.com for details

Sacred Crossings Institute



offers classes in

Conscious Dying, Spiritual End-of-Life Support, After Death Care, Home Funerals and The Life Celebration Ceremony.

All classes are facilitated by our founder, Rev. Olivia Bareham, and supported by guest speakers. Classes are offered via live webinar or in-person in Los Angeles.

sacredcrossings.com/institute

Our Alternative Funeral Home in Los Angeles offers a complete range of mortuary and funeral services including: cremation, green burial and full-body sea burial.

SacredCrossingsFuneralHome.com