Frequently Asked Questions

What’s with the name, Death’s Apprentice?

Death’s Apprentice is a playful nod to the fact that in order to become a funeral director (at nearly 50) I had to leave my huge salary, large corner office and fantastic staff to become an apprentice. For two years. An apprentice. Washing cars, sweeping up, stuff like that. Swapped my corner office for a cubicle. And don’t even let me start on the salary. Keep in mind, I did this totally voluntarily. But I soon realized that becoming an apprentice was one of the best things I could have done to truly learn and grow. A “beginner’s mind” is open, ready to learn, excited to expand. The humbling step of becoming an apprentice led me to my greatest occupational joys, and now here I am: ready and willing to keep learning from life’s greatest teacher.

Isn’t corporate education about death a little weird?

First of all, it’s not actually about death. All the corporate education and team-building sessions equip your employees with the knowledge they need to navigate all sorts of life challenges and transitions. We can work together to customize the events for your specific team, or we can do a high level overview that will point folks in the right direction. The workshops are sensitively designed and delivered with grace and even a touch of humour. Participants feel connected to their own needs as well as one another when they are through: it’s a truly meaningful way to support your staff.

What is advance care planning and transition planning?

Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and documenting your wishes regarding any health changes you may face. The “advance” part of the planning can be well and truly before the plans are needed, or this work can be started at the onset of a significant diagnosis or sudden catastrophic decline. There is no “one right way” to do this, and plans can be altered and revised as often as you wish.

Transition planning incorporates advance care planning but includes more than just medical wishes. Transition planning is highly personalized and can encompass everything from creating a trust for a child with special needs to helping a parent dealing with the early stages of dementia manage the steps involved with moving out of the family home. Transition planning will also help you understand funeral pre-planning with a special emphasis on creating heart-centred legacy.

Will you try to sell me anything?

Short answer: no.

Long answer: Advance care planning and transition planning will necessarily touch on a wide range of areas that are really important such as legal documentation, medical wishes, funeral/disposition planning, as well as matters concerning your finances and legacy directions. Some documentation is free and requires no legal blessing. In Canada, you can even create your own will on literally any sort of material that can be written on. For certain types of estates, a “back of the napkin” approach really may not be the best choice, however. Whether you are working 1-1 with Death’s Apprentice or in a corporate workshop setting, we will provide guidance and inform you of regulations, but the choices of what you actually implement will be wholly up to you. Death’s Apprentice works with a wide range of affiliated professionals and refers out widely. And if you have your own lawyer, financial planner, and accountant, you will know exactly what you need to ask them to do for you once you complete your transition planning.