Holistic palliative care workshop, preparing for death and dying

This workshop considers death from a deeper aspect than is the norm today. The inner life of soul and spirit are explained in their role in this transition and in addition, the nursing care of the physical body is considered prior to and after death.

We look also in a healthy way, at the possibility of accompanying the human being during this process while full consciousness is carried around the sacredness of this mysterious threshold.

Our aim is to empower families and communities to take death care back into their own hands, highlighting the three-day, post death, care vigil in the home.

Venue - Casuarina School Coffs Harbour

1st + 2nd November 2025 Saturday 9am-5pm + Sunday 9am-3pm

$80 concession - $160 full price : BYO lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided

For enquiries: email anthropallcare@gmail.com

or call Wendy on 0456109138

Saturday Program

9.00 am Acknowledgement to Country and Introduction to Dadirri, creating a deep listening space for the dying and community of carers, including family and friends. Introduction to sessions

9.30 am Introducing the three day vigil

9.45 am Metamorphosis of the life forces – birth to death and accompanying the dying in their inner development

10.30 am Morning tea

11 am Experiences of connection

11.30am Anthroposophical nursing care perspectives

12.10 pm Facilitated family conversations & a visualisation

12.45 pm BYO LUNCH

1.45 pm Ritual and Ceremony

2.30 pm Art pastel work

3.30 pm Afternoon tea

4 - 5 pm Circle reflection – creating a safe space and questions

Sunday Program

9 am Check in, questions & answers/conversation and introduction to sessions.

9.30 am Practical Demonstration – Laying out of the body: washing and anointing/oiling the body, clothing and shrouding and attendance to the body during the three day vigil

11.00 am Morning Tea

11.30 am Spiritual care perspectives of staying connected to our loved one

12.15 am Sharing lived experiences of pre and post-death care

1 pm LUNCH

1.30- 3 pm Questions & Answers/Conversations and Closing Ritual of honouring and reflection

Our team of Presenters:

Dr Lisa Harris: Dr Lisa Harris is an Integrative GP and GP Proceduralist in Palliative Care.  Dr Lisa’s GP practice and extra training in palliative care integrates her anthroposophical medical training. This integrative training combines physical medicine, functional and recuperative processes, emotional and sensory activities and spiritual and creative elements. Her palliative care work is in cooperation with the integrative team of practitioners and the Mid-North Coast palliative care service and is based in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

Dr Lisa’s website and for healthcare bookings

Sophia Integrative Medicine sophiaintegrativemedicine.com.au

Lisa Devine: Ordained Priest of the Christian Community, Master of Psychology (Counselling).

Charlotte Rogers: Registered Nurse with a history of 30 years at Bellingen Hospital and Anthroposophical nurse consultant.  Hauschka trained rhythmical massage therapist and Hauschka trained art therapist.

Beth Wrigley: Registered Nurse, Masters of Indigenous Studies (Trauma & Healing). Beth works facilitating groups in organisations, community and in undergraduate nursing & midwifery academic spaces using circle work and Indigenous pedagogy (healing and education) practices, with a focus on story, deep listening and creative and expressive processes. beth@ozemail.com.au

Wendy Harfield: Trauma therapist, Counsellor, Death Doula. Facilitator of Grief Tending Rituals. In Wendy’s counselling practice she works very deeply with individuals using image-work, inner journey and sensorimotor psychotherapy, assisting people to find where trauma sits in their body, how it impacts their life and facilitating them towards self-awareness and change. wharfield@hotmail.com

ANTHROPOSOPHICAL INTEGRATIVE PALLIATIVE CARE

As an anthroposophical palliative care circle our mission is to deliver holistic palliative care that encompasses the body, soul and spiritual aspects of the human being. We are a collective of human beings who have our spiritual home in the path of Anthroposophy*, and who work in various professional modalities at the threshold of death. This circle forms a source from which we draw, and to which we contribute in order to support each other and our work, and deepen and refine our understanding of care at the threshold of death.

What We Do

Members of the Anthroposophical Palliative Care Circle work variously, as individuals and as part of initiatives, professionally and voluntarily in Australia. Currently this includes doctors, nurses, priests, counsellors, naturopaths, death doulas, art and massage therapists for home death care. We are working towards forming hospice facilities. What we have in common is an Anthroposophical* understanding of the threshold of death, and this is what informs how we work, though this work can be received by any human being, of any creed, that is, respectful and inclusive of all religions, spiritual beliefs or lack of.

What Is Anthroposophy? Anthroposophy is a spiritual path that can lead us towards becoming more fully human. It is a path of knowledge and shared inquiry through research, about becoming “consciousness of our humanity" at all levels: body, soul and spirit. It is not a belief system but rather an individual path of spiritual development that finds fulfilment in study and community, through social, creative and practical initiatives. Thus, Anthroposophy requires an open heart and an enquiring mind. Rudolf Steiner gave clear insights and guidance for all kinds of human activity, inspiring creative work in many fields including agriculture, medicine, education and the arts.

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