Here's a streamlined list of resources relevant for Sonoma County residents: 

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MAID & VSED

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If you’re exploring Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) or Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED),
End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) is an excellent nonprofit offering clear information, referrals, and compassionate support—by phone or in person.

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Medical Aid in Dying: A Guide for Patients and their Supporters is the Academy of Aid in Dying Medicine's free downloadable PDFguide

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The VSED Handbook: A Practical Guide to Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking, by Kate Christie, is a love story, guide, reality check, and entire tool box for individuals considering VSED and their loved ones 

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VSED Resources Northwest. A single website to visit for all the information you need in one place.

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Home & Family-Directed Funerals

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Families have the legal right in California to care for their own dead. I highly recommend these resources, and can also help guide you through the process if you'd like support.
• National Home Funeral Alliance— an all-you-need-to-know guidebook available on a pay-what-you-can basis
• Final Passages — a pioneering Sebastopol-based nonprofit offering courses, consultations, and in-depth support for family-directed after-death care.

 

Body Disposition Options

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A greener burial returns the body to earth with minimal environmental impact. Below are disposition options, listed roughly from greener to less green, with leads to some local providers. Most of these can be combined with a home funeral and many end up costing less than a traditional burial.

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• Human Composting (Natural Organic Reduction): Recompose | Earth Funeral
• Natural Burial (using shroud or biodegradable casket, at cemetery with green burial section):  Fernwood Cemetery & Funeral Home (unique green burial location maintained as nature preserve)
• Aquamation (Water Cremation / Alkaline Hydrolysis): Pacific Interment | Anubis
• Burial at Sea (Whole Body): Sea Spirit Memorial
• Cremation (Fire Cremation) can be followed by scattering on land or sea, or integration into keepsake art or jewelry
• Traditional Burial (Embalming, metal casket, concrete vault)

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If you decide you’d like active support, I’m here to help.​​​