PROJECT
Community Events and Documentary
STATUS
Development
FUNDRAISING GOAL
$194,250
DEATH, ME, DYING TREE
DEATH, ME, DYING TREE (DMDT) aims to spread awareness about positive death practices, while at the same time providing a brave space to mourn & then celebrate as a collective. We work towards repairing our broken relationship to death by learning in community & replacing the notion of death as an “end” with the freeing concept of death as a part of the life cycle. We tailor make our live events to reflect the needs & strengths of each community we work in. The project is a constantly evolving resource with three cornerstones, which include:
- Free live, participatory events across the U.S. to help communities release fear of death & celebrate life with: live music & performances by local artists, death meditation, breath & life invocation, & information about supportive living & dying practices,
- A free online platform providing practical, eco-friendly, & legal resources, all available to the public via a Creative Commons license, &
- A future documentary showcasing these events.
DMDT is both a service project & a living, breathing experiment that explores how we as a society & a country can grow & evolve into a community that not only celebrates & respects life, but also celebrates & respects death, & by doing so is greener, healthier, & freer.
DMDT is led by Lana Smithner, the founder & facilitator of this project. She is a certified Death Doula by Rev. Olivia Bareham of Sacred Crossings, a former volunteer for Family Hospice Care of Palm Springs, a certified yoga teacher by Ana Forrest, Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra guide certified by Jennifer Reis of Kripalu, & a Certified Reiki Master & Teacher by Cory Croymans of the Asian Healing Arts Center & Alan Waugh. She began her career as a performing artist & is thrilled to combine the creative arts, activism, & the healing arts with communities across the U.S.
To make a donation in support of DEATH, ME, DYING TREE make out a check payable to: SIMA STUDIOS and mail to 551 Norwich Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90048. SIMA’s Tax ID is 46-2836025. Be sure to write “DEATH, ME, DYING TREE” on the notes/memo line of the check. If you would prefer to make a wire transfer, please reach out to project@simastudios.org.
To donate via Paypal/ Credit Card click below. Every amount is appreciated and an important contribution.