Sacred ReturnJul 21, 2026
The Same Muscle
Why the people who can sit with death are the same people who can love you well.
The LibraryBylines49 pieces
Victoria Holmes
Everything by Victoria Holmes
Sacred ReturnJul 21, 2026
Aliveness, Not Happiness
The dying don't wish they'd been happier. Here's what they wish instead.
Sacred ReturnJul 21, 2026
Strong Enough to Feel More
The goal was never to feel less. It was to become big enough to hold it all.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
Green Burial in the US: Eco-Friendly End-of-Life Options
Green burial is the fastest-growing segment of the US funeral industry. Here's what the options are, where they're available, and how to find a provider. What Is Green Burial?
HealApr 23, 2026
Online Grief Counseling: What to Expect and Where to Start
Online grief counseling connects you with a licensed therapist via video, phone, or text — without leaving your home. Here's what to expect, how it works, and how to find a therapist who's right for…
HealApr 23, 2026
The Best Virtual Grief Support Groups (Free and Paid)
Virtual grief support groups bring together people who share a common experience of loss — over video, phone, or in text-based forums. Here are the best options available in the US, free and paid.
HealApr 23, 2026
Online vs. In-Person Grief Therapy: Which Is Right for You?
Both online and in-person grief therapy are effective — but one may suit your situation better. Here's a straightforward comparison to help you decide.
HealApr 23, 2026
How to Support Someone Who Is Grieving When You Can't Be There
When someone you care about is grieving and you can't physically be there, it can feel like there's nothing meaningful you can do. There is. Here's how to show up from a distance.
HealApr 23, 2026
The Stages of Grief, Explained (And Why They're Not Linear)
You've probably heard of the five stages of grief. What you may not know is that this model was misunderstood from the beginning — and that grief rarely follows any predictable sequence at all.
HealApr 23, 2026
Grief After Sudden Loss: Resources and Where to Turn
Sudden loss — death from an accident, heart attack, suicide, overdose, or violence — creates a grief experience distinct from anticipated death.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Distribute Estate Assets as an Executor
Distributing estate assets is the final — and often the most emotionally charged — phase of estate administration. Here's how to do it legally and fairly.
GeneralApr 23, 2026
What Actually Happens After Someone Dies in the US (The Complete Timeline)
Most people know that death involves grief and paperwork. Few realize how many decisions need to be made, how fast, and by whom.
HealApr 23, 2026
What Is the Death Positive Movement and Why It Matters
The death positive movement is a cultural shift reshaping how Americans think about, talk about, and prepare for death. Here's what it is, where it came from, and why it matters.
HealApr 23, 2026
What Is a Death Doula?
Death doulas are a growing presence in end-of-life care across the US. Here's what they actually do — and whether hiring one might be right for you or someone you love. What Is a Death Doula?
PrepareApr 23, 2026
How to Prepare for Your Own Death: A Practical, Compassionate Guide
Preparing for your own death is not morbid. It's one of the most practical and loving things you can do for the people who will survive you. Here's a clear, manageable framework for getting it done.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which Is Right for You?
Term or whole life? It's one of the most common and most contested questions in personal finance. Here's a straightforward breakdown without the sales pitch. What Is Term Life Insurance?
PrepareApr 23, 2026
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need? (US Guide + Free Calculator)
Most people either dramatically underestimate or over-buy life insurance. Here's how to calculate what you actually need — with a framework used by financial planners, and our free calculator.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
How to Choose and Update Your Life Insurance Beneficiary
Your life insurance beneficiary designation is one of the most important — and most commonly overlooked — financial decisions you'll make. Here's what you need to know to get it right.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
Getting Life Insurance After 50: What You Need to Know
Buying life insurance after 50 is more expensive than buying it at 30 — but it's far from impossible, and for many people over 50, it's a genuinely important financial decision.
HealApr 23, 2026
15 Meaningful Ideas for an Online Memorial
An online memorial is a living tribute — a space where family and friends can gather, share memories, and celebrate a life, regardless of where in the world they are.
HealApr 23, 2026
How to Host a Virtual Funeral or Memorial Service
A virtual funeral or memorial service allows family and friends separated by distance, health, or circumstance to participate in honoring a life. Here's how to plan one that feels meaningful.
DealApr 23, 2026
When and How to Hire a Professional Estate Cleanout Company
A professional estate cleanout company can handle the entire contents of a home — from sorting and donating to hauling and cleaning. Here's how to find a good one and what to expect.
DealApr 23, 2026
Executor Burnout Is Real: How to Protect Your Mental Health
Executor burnout is real, clinically recognized, and largely unacknowledged. If you're running on empty while running an estate, here's how to protect yourself.
DealApr 23, 2026
Managing a Digital Estate: Social Media, Email, and Online Accounts
Managing a digital estate — closing social media accounts, accessing email, handling cryptocurrency — is increasingly complex. Here's the current state of each major platform and service type.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Pack Out Sentimental Items Without the Family Conflict
Sentimental items — not money — cause the most family conflict during estate settlement. A fair process, agreed upon in advance, prevents most disputes before they start.
DealApr 23, 2026
Estate Sale, Donation, or Disposal: What to Do With Belongings
When settling an estate, you'll need to decide what to do with a lifetime of belongings. Here's a clear framework for choosing between estate sales, donations, and disposal.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Write an Obituary: A Step-by-Step Guide With Examples
An obituary is one of the most important pieces of writing you'll ever do — a public record of a life and a gift to everyone who loved the person you're writing about. Here's how to write one well.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
What Is an Advance Directive and Do You Need One?
An advance directive documents what medical treatment you want — and don't want — if you become unable to speak for yourself. It's one of the most important legal documents you'll ever create.
DealApr 23, 2026
The First 48 Hours After a Death: What You Need to Do
The first 48 hours after a death are among the most disorienting a person can experience. Here is a clear, non-overwhelming guide to what actually needs to happen — and what can wait.
DealApr 23, 2026
How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the United States?
Funerals in the United States are expensive — often more than people expect. Here's a current breakdown of average costs to help you plan ahead without surprises.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
How to Talk to Your Family About Death Planning (Without It Being Awful)
Talking to your family about death planning is one of the most important conversations you'll ever have — and one most families never get around to. Here's how to actually start it.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
Digital Legacy Planning: What Happens to Your Online Life After You Die
Your digital life doesn't disappear when you die — it sits in servers, accumulating charges, receiving messages, and waiting. Here's how to plan for it. What Is a Digital Legacy?
PrepareApr 23, 2026
How to Write a Will (And What Happens If You Die Without One)
Most Americans don't have a will. If you're one of them, here's exactly why that matters — and how to create one that actually works.
PrepareApr 23, 2026
Power of Attorney: What It Is and How to Set It Up
A power of attorney is one of the most powerful legal documents you can create — and one of the most misunderstood. Here's a clear explanation of what it is, what it does, and how to set one up.
DealApr 23, 2026
Dealing with the IRS After a Death: Taxes, Returns, and the Estate
Notifying the IRS of a death and filing the right tax returns is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — executor responsibilities. Here's what you need to file and when.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Cancel Subscriptions and Online Accounts After Death
A deceased person's estate can accumulate charges from subscriptions and services for months if they're not cancelled promptly. Here's how to find and cancel everything — systematically.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Close a Bank Account After Someone Dies
Closing bank accounts after someone dies requires legal authorization and the right documentation. Here's the step-by-step process for executors in the US.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Get a Death Certificate in the United States
A death certificate is the official legal document confirming a person's death. As an executor, you'll need certified copies for almost every administrative task you face. Here's how to get them.
DealApr 23, 2026
How to Probate a Will: A State-by-State Guide
Probate is the legal process that validates a will and authorizes an executor to settle an estate. Here's how it works — and how the rules differ from state to state.
DealApr 23, 2026
The Executor Checklist: 47 Tasks to Complete After a Death
Here is the complete executor checklist — organized by timeline so you always know what to prioritize. Download the printable PDF version below.
DealApr 23, 2026
What Does an Executor of an Estate Actually Do?
Being named executor means you're legally responsible for settling someone's estate — their final financial and legal affairs. Here's exactly what that entails. What Is an Executor of an Estate?
HealApr 23, 2026
Does Grief Ever End? What the Research Actually Says
Grief doesn't end on a schedule. But it does change — and for most people, living alongside grief becomes possible. Here's what the research actually tells us about how grief evolves over time.
HealApr 23, 2026
Disenfranchised Grief: When Your Loss Isn't Acknowledged
Disenfranchised grief is grief that is not openly acknowledged or publicly mourned — because the relationship, the death, or the griever is not socially recognized as warranting grief.
HealApr 23, 2026
Pet Loss Grief: Why It's Real and Where to Find Support
Losing a pet is a real loss — and the grief that follows deserves to be taken seriously. Here's why pet loss grief can be so intense, and where to find genuine support.
HealApr 23, 2026
50 Grief Journaling Prompts to Help Process Loss
Grief journaling doesn't require a talent for writing or a special notebook — just a willingness to put words to what you're feeling. Here are 50 prompts to help you start.
HealApr 23, 2026
What Is Complicated Grief? Signs, Symptoms, and Support
Most bereaved people naturally adapt to their loss over time. For some, grief does not ease — it intensifies and becomes all-consuming.
HealApr 23, 2026
How to Help Children Understand and Process Grief
Children grieve differently than adults — and they need different kinds of support. Here's how to talk to children about death, recognize signs of struggling, and know when to seek extra help.
HealApr 23, 2026
The Connection Between Grief and Mental Health
Grief and mental health are deeply intertwined. Understanding the relationship can help you recognize when grief has crossed into something that requires professional support — and what that support…
VideoApr 15, 2026
How to Die Well: A Death Doula's Guide
Victoria Holmes has spent over a decade sitting with the dying. What she has seen is consistent: nobody talks about their taxes.
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