What Everyone Wants to Know About Death, Dying and the Other Side

I am going to let you in from another standpoint. Along with my line of work as an energy healer and mentor for healing art accredited programs, I am also a psychic medium. I knew I had this gift ever since I was a child. I could hear others who have crossed over, as well as my guides.
Everyone is scared of dying and death. I can understand as well as at one point in time or another we will all go through this process. But I have come to find in my own personal experiences working with my abilities and helping others that this is not a scary thing.
The ones who make this issue a scary one to face are only ourselves and our ego mind. I have heard stories from families whose loved ones have crossed over and they want me to connect with them, and they are not worried that they felt pain, sadness, or scared.
I am here to tell you this is not true. I have heard from the other side countless times that this is not a fact. When we cross over there is nothing but love and peace. There is no loss. There is no sadness, pain, or scared and anxiety feelings. As these are literally just feelings and this exists on the physical earthly plane.
When we cross over these things do not exist, just as the material things do not exist as well. They do not care or are concerned about money, cars, bills, home payments, or anything that can trouble us here in the physical realm.
It is like coming home! Have you ever seen a homecoming for someone who has been gone for years at a time, such as in the military or a loved who moved away and they haven't been seen for awhile. What is present when the person finally reach home? Celebration! Joy! Happiness! There is no sadness, worry or upset feelings! This is what it is like for those who have crossed over! Happiness! Celebration! Peace!
It is not that way here on this physical earthly plane, as we are sad that they have left us as we miss them, and have a void that is here now and this creates our own sadness. But again this is just a feeling and to will pass. Embrace this feeling and let it flow through you! Do not block this, as just like in a dam it will back up till it finally breaks through. Embrace the feelings and let them flow. Once you have accepted all of them you will find peace at the very core of all of them!
I know this can be a hard thing to accept, but I can honestly say from all my years of working as a psychic medium and all of the families I have re-connected through these sessions, this is all I have ever seen from the other side. Peace, love and acceptance!
So be good to the ones you have in your life on the physical plane, and know when they do cross over there is love there waiting for each and everyone and we will all re-connect there one day!
If anyone has any questions about the after-life, or re-connecting with the other side, please feel free to contact me as I am always here to help.

Nicole Lanning, founder of Healing Art Forms and Holistic Healing Minute, has a passion for helping others with holistic training and healing hands sessions.

Discussions on Death, Dying, Grief and Loss

Death is a mystery in anyone's terms. A person is here one moment and gone the next... forever. Yet, we never think of them beforehand as gone, even if we're expecting them to die. We are never ready for death; theirs or ours.
It's the absence of the person that we grapple with. We just cannot reconcile it, and as human beings we don't like to be in positions like that.
Death itself is not a popular topic for discussion, generally.
I was so shocked recently to learn of the loss of a geographically distant but close enough friend. We had helped each other, prayed for each other and each other's family, and journeyed together from opposite sides of the globe. Now he's gone. He was 47.
I looked at a photograph of this man with his family - taken years ago - and they had so much potential. None of what we know now impinged on that perfect image.
If only we had insight into how things might turn out; about who may not be here in a year or two, six months, or tomorrow. We take too much preciousness for granted.
DEATH, IF WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF IT, PROMOTES DISCUSSION
Because events like death are so finalising, and so incomprehensible, they invite discussion if and when we're ready. We need to talk about it when we are ready.
If we've not been lacerated by the claw that is death we are possibly in awe of the mystery of the concept, which is no morbid appreciation besides an abnormal preoccupation, which might invite worry on the part of loved ones regarding potential for suicide, possibly.
Death gives us a better appreciation for life. It puts life into a more awesome and delicate perspective; life suddenly takes on more of an eternal value. Appreciation for life creates energy and energy finds an outlet in discussion and spending time together. The togetherness exacted from discussion promotes healing. These are transactions of love to fuel life.
DEATH BEYOND DISCUSSION
What is certain, however, is that beyond discussion death is likely to silence us into a reflective mood which reminds us that we all owe God our physical death. It's the price of life, for what is living must eventually die, just as what goes up must ultimately come down.
Beyond that, if we believe, we have Glory to look forward to.
But death is beyond discussion when all is said and done. So many parts of the dying and post-death realities cannot be, in truth, value added through talk. Nothing can add value to death unless we consider the person dead to be in heaven. Even then there's a limit to how much we can discuss the fact.
And concepts of heaven have us marvelling at what that might be like; for we see a creation that is mind blowing - how might heaven be supremely more stupendous?
Death: like it or not, it's an enigma generating both discussion and silence. Nothing will change that.
© 2011 S. J. Wickham.

Steve Wickham is a Registered Safety Practitioner (BSc, FSIA, RSP[Australia]) and a qualified, unordained Christian minister (GradDipBib&Min). His blogs are at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com/ and http://inspiringbetterlife.blogspot.com/

Questions Kids Ask About Death, Dying, Funeral and Grief

Kids are often interested in the physical aspect of death and mechanics of the wake and/or funeral. Here are some questions and answers that might help you respond to their curiosity.
If the body is dead, why does it need to be preserved? Using child friendly language an appropriate answer is a dead body will decompose very quickly. Therefore, it needs to be embalmed so that it can be view by visitors. That means that certain chemicals are injected into the body, like a transfusion, to preserve it until it is buried. The body is cleaned and the hair is washed. The openings of the body are disinfected and closed so that fluids will not leak out. If parts of the body are damaged because of injury or disease, they are specially treated and restored.
Sometimes children are disturbed by the change in appearance of his or her loved one. Why can't the funeral home people let the person's body alone when they die? Why do they have to put make-up on him and make him look phony? An honest direct answer would be no one is trying to make the person look like he did not die. The people at the funeral home just try to make the dead person look like he did when he was alive so that his loved ones will have a nicer image to remember.
What is a wake? A wake is a time to honor and recognize the deceased, and a final viewing of the body. It is seen as a sign of respect. Before the deceased is buried, many people like to gather in the presence of the dead person and talk about him or her or tell stories of the deceased life. They do this to pay their respects to both the dead person and the family of the deceased.
What is cremation? To begin with, it is probably easier to explain what cremation is not. Cremation is not a final disposal of the deceased remains or type of funeral service. Cremation is a process by which a dead body is burned and turned into ashes. Sometimes the ashes are stored in a special jar called an urn, sometimes they are buried, and sometimes they are scattered over the ground or the ocean. Sometimes the deceased will leave specific instructions as to how his or her ashes should be handled.
If death does not hurt, why is everyone crying? Help the child understand that physical death, in itself does not hurt. The family is crying because they hurt inside. The sadness comes from the fact, that a relationship that meant much to everyone has been lost.
Why do I feel angry and mad? Anger is a natural emotion, feeling mad is not a bad thing. Recognize the anger and find acceptable way to express that emotion.
Sometimes I am very, very, sad. Why do I feel so sad? Death and separation brings sadness. Crying, talking, praying, and patience will promote healing. These are feelings that we want a grieving child to express openly.
Is it okay, sometimes I want to be alone? Being alone is completely acceptable. Let the child know that you are available.
Is five years old to young to go to a funeral? Young children should be allowed to attend a funeral, but they must be prepared first about what to expect. The size of the room, where the child will sit, where the casket will be located, and if the casket will be open or close.
Why do people send flowers? Isn't it a waste, since the dead person can't see them? People send flowers to show the dead person's family that he or she was important to them. Flowers are appropriate not only because they are beautiful, but because they symbolize life and death. In place of flowers, some families prefer donations to a favorite charity
You do not talk in Italian if you are speaking to a Frenchman, talk to a child in his or her language. It is essential that kids be allowed to ask questions and adults answer with honesty and an age appropriate response.

Yvonne Butler Clark

Death, Dying and A Meaningful Life - 3 Lessons on Appreciation, Laughter and Trust

We want to enjoy a meaningful life. We want to have a peaceful death. But do we know how? The year before he died, my brother Joe taught me three powerful lessons on living and dying well.

Joe was the picture of good health. He was an avid runner. About two weeks after 9/11 he received a diagnosis of late stage lung cancer. A year later he died peacefully at age 54. I remember his last year and these lessons from Joe in every corner of my heart.
Lesson One: Express appreciation often during each day.
My brother was known as a grateful man at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina. He expressed his thanks for the smallest help given him. Even in pain, my brother smiled and appreciated each person.
Joe wrote a short letter to the editors of the Columbia Journal that captured his deep sense of appreciation. He was so pleased when they published it. We had his letter enlarged and made copies. Joe and I went around to each bulletin board on his hospital floor and posted a copy. He wanted everyone to read it and know his appreciation.
Lesson Two: Find humor in life's moments and laugh often.
Joe never lost his sense of humor and his ability to let loose with one-liners. He had a talent for dark humor and he reveled in it. I remember one story in particular. Its images remain vivid in my mind.
Toward the end of his life Joe had to rely on a wheelchair to get around. One day I was pushing him through the halls to the hospital's garden atrium. Along the way he greeted numerous friends-also in wheel chairs. When we reached the atrium, Joe gave me a dead pan look and said, "I never thought I'd have wheel chair envy." He made me laugh right out loud.
Lesson Three: Trust that your life has Divine meaning and purpose.
Shortly before he died, Joe and I sat in his living room and discussed the age-old dilemma of why good people suffer. We talked about how they should respond to this suffering. He was struggling with the question of "Why me?" Finally Joe put his head against the high back chair, closed his eyes and said softly, "I accept." He had found the courage to trust that his life had Divine meaning and purpose. Stillness came over him. Three days later my brother died a peaceful death.
Joe fought for his life with courage and determination. He wanted to enjoy whatever time he had left. Yet he faced his death and all the fears and unknowns surrounding it with the same heroic spirit. He showed us that life holds more joy when we live each day, looking for things to appreciate and reasons to laugh. And death holds less fear when we live with trust in our Divine purpose for being here. In his last year on earth, Joe taught us powerful ways for living and dying well.

Mary Beth Ford, Ed. D., is the author of "Wisdom from the Gardens: Life Lessons" and creator of Garden Wisdom Teleseminars. She specializes in the area of life balance, which she describes as balance between world and Spirit. In both book and teleseminar Dr. Ford shares her five powerful garden lessons for living with balance and joy. Using nature images she gives us an inspiring vision of ourselves and our world. She offers products online at The Garden Wisdom Store. To learn more, visit her website at http://www.wisdomfromthegardens.com and receive a free summary of five garden lessons for life balance and joy.