What is a mini mobile suite?
It was in my End of Life Doula training that I was first introduced to the idea of family involved and family directed after death care. The notion hadn't occurred to me but it made sense that the family could shelter and take care of their loved ones body for the time that it takes to obtain the final disposition paperwork. With the prevalence of hospice, more and more people are choosing to die at home. Why not extend that care a few more days--in the home?
Once introduced to the idea, I couldn't get it out of my head. I wanted to educate others and figure out how I could guide them through the process. I began to research the practice and found the Natural Funeral in the quaint community of Lafayette, CO just north of Denver. They allowed me to intern with them and they taught me how and why they offer this unique service. They call it Reverent Body Care. With Reverent Body Care, they allow the family to come in and use their small chapel to be with their loved one in a private, quiet neutral setting. The family can reminisce, cry, laugh, tell stories, listen to music, bathe the body, shroud the body or simply sit in silence and spend time reflecting on the significant role the person who has died has played in their life.
This practice made so much more sense to me rather than our current, formal funeral practice. I wondered why more people didn't offer it and why more people didn't ask for it. What I learned is that people don't know they can. They've not heard of such a practice and because of this, they're not sure that they want to. However, the Natural Funeral explains the benefits and makes the space available and guide families through the process to minimize their fear in being with a dead body. The Natural Funeral also guides families through family involved care in the home and I got hands on experience with both and only became more committed to offering this service where I live in the San Francisco/San Jose bay area of Northern California.
It wasn't easy but after two years of networking and researching and having people look at me askanced, I finally found came upon another progressive funeral establishment who were willing to collaborate with me to offer this service. At the same time that I was looking for a funeral establishment with whom to collaborate, I was also looking for that private, quiet neutral zone similar to the one that the Natural Funeral offers in Colorado. Should I rent my own space or rent space from an established funeral home? I decided on a different option. I merged my interests in recreational vehicles, tiny homes and creating honoring spaces and discovered a unique RV called the Happier Camper manufactured by a small start up in Los Angeles. It felt like I found the perfect solution.
So, join me in following the progress of preparing the Mini Mobile Suite for Family Involved, Family Directed After Death Care.
Once introduced to the idea, I couldn't get it out of my head. I wanted to educate others and figure out how I could guide them through the process. I began to research the practice and found the Natural Funeral in the quaint community of Lafayette, CO just north of Denver. They allowed me to intern with them and they taught me how and why they offer this unique service. They call it Reverent Body Care. With Reverent Body Care, they allow the family to come in and use their small chapel to be with their loved one in a private, quiet neutral setting. The family can reminisce, cry, laugh, tell stories, listen to music, bathe the body, shroud the body or simply sit in silence and spend time reflecting on the significant role the person who has died has played in their life.
This practice made so much more sense to me rather than our current, formal funeral practice. I wondered why more people didn't offer it and why more people didn't ask for it. What I learned is that people don't know they can. They've not heard of such a practice and because of this, they're not sure that they want to. However, the Natural Funeral explains the benefits and makes the space available and guide families through the process to minimize their fear in being with a dead body. The Natural Funeral also guides families through family involved care in the home and I got hands on experience with both and only became more committed to offering this service where I live in the San Francisco/San Jose bay area of Northern California.
It wasn't easy but after two years of networking and researching and having people look at me askanced, I finally found came upon another progressive funeral establishment who were willing to collaborate with me to offer this service. At the same time that I was looking for a funeral establishment with whom to collaborate, I was also looking for that private, quiet neutral zone similar to the one that the Natural Funeral offers in Colorado. Should I rent my own space or rent space from an established funeral home? I decided on a different option. I merged my interests in recreational vehicles, tiny homes and creating honoring spaces and discovered a unique RV called the Happier Camper manufactured by a small start up in Los Angeles. It felt like I found the perfect solution.
So, join me in following the progress of preparing the Mini Mobile Suite for Family Involved, Family Directed After Death Care.
What are some potential uses for the Mini Mobile Suite?
The Mini Mobile Suite can be used in a variety of ways. Following are a few to consider:
Note: If at any time the family feels uncomfortable and needs more guidance and help, we are here to provide it. Our partner, Honor Cremations in San Jose is also available to transport the body to their private holding facility awaiting the disposition paperwork if the client desires.
- As a private place for Medical Aid in Dying. The MMS can be transported to a specific location (private property) that is special and significant to the client who chooses MAID to mitigate prolonged suffering. They choose the last sights, sounds, smells, and tastes they want to experience.
- As a private, quiet neutral zone. The MMS can be set up on a client's property. It is very important that the property be level, and strictly out of sight from onlookers and the general public. It is available if or when the family feels unsure about keeping their loved one's body inside the home for the time that it takes to obtain the disposition paperwork which is usually 3-5 business days. The MMS can be set up on someone else’s private property with prior written approval from the property owner.
- As a temporary honoring, holding space. The MMS provides a place to keep a loved one nearby under the family's care and protection awaiting final disposition.
- As a preparation space. The MMS provides a private place to bathe and shroud the body.
- As a visitation space. The MMS provides a private place to hold an intimate family led visitation event, experience or ceremony.
- As a mode of transportation. The MMS provides a safe way to transport the body to the crematorium or burial. The MMS allows a family to move the body in and out on their own at the crematorium or cemetery.
Note: If at any time the family feels uncomfortable and needs more guidance and help, we are here to provide it. Our partner, Honor Cremations in San Jose is also available to transport the body to their private holding facility awaiting the disposition paperwork if the client desires.