About Village Deathcare Celebrant Services: 

How do you possibly thank someone for not only taking care of all the details that overwhelm you but also lifting you up when you can't lift yourself? There really are no words but that is what Anne-Marie Keppel does when you feel like you just can't even go on much less do the things necessary when you experience the loss of your life. We received the dreaded call earlier this year that our adult son was in a fatal motor vehicle accident. Our lives were forever changed at that moment but there were things that had to be done & thankfully there was Anne-Marie who took the reins & got us through it even doing things we had no clue were needed. Contacting people we didn't think of contacting & providing a soft shoulder when needed the most. She asked me for info abt diff periods in Bob's life & created a beautiful eulogy out of info provided by us & others. Losing our son will always be the absolutely worst thing we could go through but I honestly don't think I could have pulled together one Celebration of Life much less the 2 needed in 2 diff states. Anne-Marie has a very special caring & compassionate way abt her that really helps. Less than 3 mths after losing our only child my dad crossed over after 2 mths in hospice in another state. A difficult family situation would not have allowed it but I think having Anne-Marie there to guide a family through the final wks/days of their loved one's life would make all the difference. This very special lady definitely will make a very painful time at least somewhat more bearable for you & even help create special end of life memories that will be cherished forever. I'm pretty certain if you utilize her services you will be very glad you did. Blessings to you always Anne-Marie! Namaste'

-L. CT & VT

Dear Anne-Marie
I want to thank you for creating the physical and emotional space , with so much grace, care and love, so that we all together were able to say good bye to Marcelo in such a beautiful and meaningful way . This will not be forgotten . Thank you! Gracias!!

-M, New York, New York

On Home Green Burial: 

We buried my dad on the hill behind his home, on the land where all three generations of our family live together.  We hay, ski, and walk by his grave through the seasons.  It felt peaceful and simple for us to do this at home.  A friend built a plain wood coffin, and a few neighbors helped to dig the plot. This is not a weird new idea, nor is it outdated and dangerous; it is normal, and felt right and meaningful for our family.
-R.  Hardwick, VT

Anne-Marie has been so kind and generous with her time and knowledge to help me and my mother understand the possibilities of a green burial. We have been exploring the option of a burial on my own property . Anne-Marie has met with us and explained many aspects of the end of life considerations which have been so helpful in making decisions about this important aspect of life and death. I will be continuing to communicate with Anne-Marie about my mothers wishes and also be planning my own end of life care.  

-J. Greensboro, VT 

I contacted Anne-Marie as I noticed through Front Porch Forum, that she was running a Death Cafe in my village.  From talking to her, I also learned she is an end-of-life doula.  I've had a keen interest in the art of dying for most of my life and I found  Anne-Marie to be very open to meeting with me to discuss her training and expertise in this broadening field.  I was at once impressed with her generosity and willingness to help another person on the path as I was her knowledge of the nuances of this field.  

-G Craftsbury, VT 

"The Symposium was an amazing, rich, multifaceted gathering, so many connections woven, seeds planted, stories shared. I really loved it and learned so much."  

-K. Craftsbury, VT

Anne-Marie graciously found a time to talk with me over the phone recently. I spoke with her about what is going on with my mom's illness and about my relationship to grieving. Anne-Marie was kind, gracious, and responsive. Our conversation was a special container for me; I felt encouraged and seen in this heavy and enlivening time in my life of preparing for the death of a parent.  

-E. Plainfield, VT 

We had a wonderful time sitting Anne-Marie's office and discussing our questions and plans about burial.   We appreciate her guidance, the information she gave us, and her forthright attitude about what she could not answer.  We came away very satisfied with our conversation with her and with the resources to which she directed us.  Thank you, Anne-Marie for taking precious time to spend with us and for being such a gracious human being. 

- C. & B. Glover, VT

I was very grateful to be able to talk to Anne-Marie after my son passed away. It was such an excruciating time, and being able to talk to someone whose dharma path was helping people through such a difficult situation was very helpful. I have found that many therapists do not even have this kind of training and experience, so I think her work is very valuable! Thank you Anne Marie!

- M. Crested Butte, Colorado

Anne-Marie, you showed up in record time for me and my family when we were dealing with partner, son, father dying. It was such a relief not to have to even think about asking you for what we needed as you knew just what to do... visit at the hospice and be there for us all. There was a feeling of being known and held, giving us such comfort. I can not thank you enough Anne-Marie for your loving support. 

-C. Craftsbury, VT

About the Vermont Death & Dying Symposium: Just being able to sit, discuss, and learn about death felt very healing and healthy. North American culture will sometimes acknowledge that we don't discuss death, but then often that ends the conversation! This symposium felt like a safe space to dive into it more, and to find empowerment on an intimate topic that has become so removed from us and can be scary. Giving everyday people who are not death-trained access to working better with death is helpful for a whole society.

-M. Craftsbury, VT

About the Vermont Death & Dying Symposium: Proud to be part of the Death Positive Movement. By confronting death we come alive. Facing death allows us to stop acting from harmful fear-based habit energy, to bring forth compassion for all life, to find the motivation to make the most of each precious moment. Much gratitude for the VT Death & Dying Symposium, Stardust Meadow, Village Deathcare, Anne-Marie Keppel, Nina Thompson, and everyone else involved.

-P. Lowell, VT

About the VT Death & Dying Symposium: I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the Vermont Death and Dying Symposium in Crafstbury, VT, if only for one day. It's not always easy for those of us interested in death to find a group of people that leaves us with a sense of comrodory and that was what I left with (along with quite a reading list and a stomach full of delicious vegetarian food). There were some tears, a lot of laughter, art, meditation, music, dancing, food, and fire, all against the beautiful backdrop of Craftsbury. I missed what I have no doubt were amazing, informative presentations by Francesca Arnoldy, Sandra Lazorcak, Michelle Acciavatti, and more. I did have the humbling honor of meeting Nina Thompson, founder of The Wake Up To Dying Project, Erica Buist, author of "This Party's Dead", Salicrow, psychic meduim and author of "Jump Girl", Mary Lauren Frasier, who brought along some beautiful hand woven urns and caskets, and Anne Marie-Keppel, host, advocate, educator, and the owner of Casa Luna (which, incidentally, is very hard to leave behind). I would do this every weekend if I could!

-K. Burlington, VT

  The Death and Dying Symposium was a very moving and powerful experience for me.   It was a strong reminder of my own mortality, but at the same time very life affirming.  EVERY presenter was articulate, well organized and offered valuable insights and knowledge.  I felt energized, inspired and motivated to live each precious day with more gratitude and awareness.  

It  was a wonderful surprise that the venue was a comfortable home rather than the usual conference center , and that family members were actively involved and created a warm welcoming atmosphere.  I appreciated the small number of participants for that enabled  us to get to know each other and feel comfortable sharing.

The beautiful  natural surroundings provided space for solitude and leisure walks.  The nearby cemetery was a special place for meditation and to feel a connection with people who had passed.  

I  was moved to say a blessing at each grave to honor the dead.

I almost did not attend the symposium for I was still recovering and exhausted from a serious case of poison, but  thankfully I decided to participate . Within hours of arriving at Casa Luna all my symptoms were gone, and I slept well and had amazing dreams for the first time in weeks !

The Symposium was healing for both my body and spirit.  I am grateful to everyone who touched my life that weekend and hope our paths cross again.

-I. Montpelier, VT