Don’t fear the reaper

South Winnipeg

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This article was published 28/05/2025 (413 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Death cafés nothing to fear. Indeed, those in attendance may find many of their fears assuaged.

“When we become more comfortable discussing, planning for, and accepting it, we tend to live more fully and meaningfully,” said Michelle Leray, founder of The Spirit Guided Path, Death Doulas of Manitoba, and Death Café Winnipeg.

A death café, whether online or in person, offers a casual atmosphere in which people gather to share thoughts on death and dying. They can be held in a quiet café, in a community meeting space or even in one’s own living room. Death cafés are offered free of charge and aim to make it easier for people to feel safe and comfortable speaking about a topic that, for many, remains shrouded in fear and worry.

Leray says there’s been increasing interest as people want to learn more about how to be better informed, prepared, and able to support their own loved ones. Leray has focused her career on helping people before, during, and after death, offering support, encouragement, and death care information. The Métis woman and mother of two lives in South Winnipeg and volunteers her time to support the dying and bereaved. She works as a death doula, spiritual medium, Reiki master, certified funeral celebrant, and has been teaching in Winnipeg for nearly 20 years.

Leray is also a member of The End of Life Doula Association of Canada, who regularly speaks at palliative care conferences in the province, and answers numerous emails every week from people inquiring about this career choice. It helps to start slowly, Leray said, taking the time to talk with friends and family about end-of-life wishes and asking them what they would like.

“For those who struggle with this kind of conversation, attending a death café or a grief support group can be helpful to get started in becoming more comfortable with these discussions. And of course, seeking out your local death doula for a chat can be a great help as well,” she said, adding that many, like her, will offer a free consultation, providing a safe space to talk about these often-difficult topics.

In her work supporting people in grief, Leray has seen many with incredibly complex and difficult circumstances.

“It became very evident that so often people struggled to understand what was transpiring when their loved one’s illness progressed, and even fewer people had a full understanding of the numerous options that were available to them for support, end-of-life resources, and for final services,” she said.

“Birth and death are the most major transitions in our lives, and our society tends to celebrate one and avoid the other, which only leads to increased fear, stress, and disconnection from what is happening or what has happened. Everyone should be included in these discussions, and if you do not know where to begin, your local end-of-life doula will be a valuable source of information and guidance,” Leray added, encouraging people to access resources.

Starting this September, she will be offering a new course educating aspiring death doulas. Registration opens in June, and training will be offered in person at Shea Tree Wellness in Fort Garry, as well as online.

Leray plans to offer a well-rounded experience that provides hands-on training, with the possibility of additional mentorship or apprenticeship for emerging doulas, which is not commonly offered anywhere else.

Leray also creates and facilitates events, support groups, and ceremonies for those who would like alternative support. Besides death cafés, she offers free monthly online guided meditations, and grief circles, so people all over the world can join in, connect with others, and feel supported. Locally, she hosts events for every equinox and solstice, such as the Summer Solstice Ceremony, taking place on June 21 at the J & L Creative on Provencher Boulevard.

Visit www.TheSpiritGuidedPath.com and www.ManitobaDeathDoulas.com for more information