Please Join as Final Passages in Celebrates 25 Years!
We turn 25 officially on Dec. 10th, 2020.
This work began in earnest in 1994 when my dear friend Carolyn Whiting died and we wanted to honor her wishes for a home funeral. All these years later, Carolyn’s love and the gifted teaching that she left behind, changed my life infinitely. More on that in an extended interview about Final Passages can be found here.
One of our Final Passages graduates and Core Council members interviewed me last week about these past 25 years for a special article in this newsletter and while there is no way we can share all the exciting and progressive works we have done, in their entirety — the discussion gives you a chance to learn a bit more about Final Passages yesterday, today and tomorrow. We’ll post that interview soon.
We became such a vital organization as the direct result of your generosity, feedback, your own work to support the dying and their families, as well as your belief in affordable and accessible Home and Green Funerals, for all. There has been much death in America this year and the world, and in one section in the interview, I address ways to honor loved ones even if families are unable to gather in person for a funeral or create a ritual space of their own.
We will hold a big, community celebration for Final Passages so we can all celebrate together, in-person, whenever that time comes. We had planned an event concert with educational demonstrations, after the New Year, but we had to post-pone that event until restrictions lift and we can meet again.
It has been such a beautiful journey for me and my husband Mark who has been with me every step of the way, is a Home Funeral Guide and who patiently handles our technology and digital work. I cannot thank the members of our Core Council enough, our supporters here in Sebastopol and throughout Sonoma County. I am thankful to all of you: whether you are friends who live across the nation or are students who have taken our classes from around the world. People have flown to America to take Final Passages workshops from as far away as England, Canada, Australia and even Turkey. We are filled with such deep joy and immense gratitude. You are the wind beneath our wings at Final Passages and that is why we all soar together.

As we head into the Holiday Gift Giving Season, I wanted to share my profound appreciation with those of you who supported Final Passages over these years!
Perhaps you took a workshop, attended a training or participated in Movie Night where you saw a film with death and dying themes and joined the discussion afterwards. Perhaps you supported us with donations, Thank YOU! Maybe you attended our Special Benefit concerts at the Sebastopol Grange, one featuring Grammy-nominated songstress Melanie DeMore.
However you came to Final Passages: thank you and we are so happy you are here. Thank you for your donations and contributions as we move into 2021 and we kick off the first year of our “next 25 years!”
May you find many blessings this coming year and from the bottom of my heart: Thank YOU to all of you and I hope that January dawns anew with more joy, true peace and shared national prosperity among our people.
Blessings and My Love to You and Yours,
Jerrigrace Lyons
Final Passages Founder and Executive Director