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Sacred Dying South Africa

Embracing The End Of Life

“Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one’s head, and listen to silence. 
To have no yesterday and no tomorrow.
To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace.”

~Oscar Wilde~

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The Art Of Sacred Dying

The sacred dying mission is concerned with bringing spirituality, through presence and ritual, into the physical act of dying. Its implementation facilitates the creation of a setting where death is experienced with honor, respect and sacredness. Sacred Dying can be as simple as being present with a loved family member, or as complicated as transforming the vision our entire society. It is a valued approach to providing spiritual aid to the dying and their loved ones.

Sacred Dying involves both the body and soul in the greatest transition we are ever called upon to make.

Death is inevitable, but no one should die alone. In Western societies, many have lost touch with the spiritual aspect of death and dying. To our ancestors, death was no secret, they knew what dying looked like. They knew how to sit at a deathbed.

 

Death Doula Course

 

We live in a time when advanced medicine wards off death. Modern western culture has forgotten the needs of the soul which is preparing to make the most sacred of journeys, this adventure which should be filled with reverence and awe, is instead fraught with fear, turmoil and anguish. It does not need to be this way!

Slowly people are reawakening, realizing that somehow we are misunderstanding something important about the great mystery called death.

With the birth of Death Doulas, which is a relatively new concept in South Africa, the terminally ill and their families are now able to utilize the services of trained and certified death doulas. Sacred Dying South Africa – Embracing The End Of Life, has no agenda other than to be of service. It is the gift of being present for the dying person and their family, to be willing to create and hold sacred space so that the the one dying will feel safe to engage in the great labor of making the transition back into the afterlife.

Death Doula Course
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an elderly lady

Mona Minnaar,

Founding Director Sacred Dying SA

About Me

Mona Minnaar is the Founding Director of Sacred Dying South Africa – Embracing The End Of Life, whose sole purpose is to train Companion (Death) Doulas throughout South Africa, enabling them to serve their communities with honor and dignity. 

Mona has  completed many holistic therapy courses and holds numerous certificates and diplomas in holistic health, which knowledge she lovingly shares with her students and on social media.

More About Me

Testimonials

“This is an exceptional and sacred journey of learning about being with someone when they are dying. And it is sacred work. The training with Sacred Dying South Africa was an inspired and meaningful journey for me. Thank you Mona for your courage and wisdom in creating this work which is necessary and integral in supporting the end of life process”

(Nidhi – Student)

“I am really enjoying doing the course with Mona, I am able to do it at my own pace alongside my current work. The content is insightful and contains years and years of experience in the field. The assignments also allow you to explore yourself and prepare you for the journey ahead.”

(Tania – Student)

“I learnt so much from doing this course. Mona was available for any queries I had. This course gave me the insight I needed to put it into practice in my workplace. I highly recommend it.”

(Claire – Student)

“The course gave me insight into the psychology of what patients must go through when faced with a terminal illness. It has given me so much more than just learning how to provide palliative care but it also helped me on my journey to understanding myself and how we as humans react towards death. Mona is an incredible teacher and her experience has given us the chance to learn more and help others in the time of need. Thank you Mona for your time and devotion towards this course, your students and those you have helped along your journey.”

 (Angeline – Student)

“I have always wished to learn more, to become more proficient and especially confident in being there for those who are traveling the last stages of their life here, so when I heard about the Sacred Dying Doula course, I was very happy and signed up immediately. I have now successfully completed the certification Death Doula course and have enjoyed doing it. My tutor Mona, has been there all the way as an ever-ready support when needed and I have felt comfortable and enjoyed my studying with her. With each module and assignment that I worked on, I have felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy with all that I am learning, because I am finding this study very meaningful and I feel so motivated by it. The course content is beautiful and very close to my heart! Thank you Mona for bringing the Sacred Dying End-of-Life (Death) Doula course to us here in South Africa. I recommend it to anyone who feels that this is a calling for them to enroll in the course.”

 (Panayiota – Student)

“Mona assisted our family as a Death Doula, was when my husband Ron, was suffering from a terminal illness. Thankfully Mona was able to help us attend to him and was there to the very end, knowing exactly what to do to offer physical comfort for Ron and emotional comfort  his family.  Her compassion and understanding grief is beyond amazing. She also helped prepare Ron’s body for burial, laying his body to appear restful and peaceful. Her skill in creating a beautiful atmosphere in his last hours made the experience of crossing over not only easier for him and for us, but beautiful too.“

 (Susan – Client)

“The second time Mona assisted our family as a Death Doula, was when my mother at age 91 fell ill with pneumonia, we knew her frail body would not recover. Mona spent days making her as comfortable as possible: playing peaceful music, creating a low, warm light atmosphere to comfort her. She helped us to care for her, teaching us how best to hydrate and feed her, to her comfort and to not over-do what we might think is best. She helped all her loved ones see her and bid their farewells. The glorious atmosphere in her room made her seem like an angel and elevated the presence beyond the veil as she saw her angels waiting for. Who knew that death could be as spiritual and painful and joyous an experience as birth. Mona truly understands the significance of this“

 (Susan – Client)

“When I met Mona I was broken, I had lost my teenage son in the most horrible way, my relationship was a disaster, I never thought I could survive. I did not want to live and had no will to go on. As an accredited Grief and Bereavement Counsellor Mona worked with me and guided me through my mess. I am now living life and looking forward to a happy future. I could not have done this without the amazing help that Mona gave me.”

 (Vikki – Client)

“I want to thank my Angel Mother Mona, for the positive results from the sessions and counselling I received from her. She helped me understand how earlier life experiences have been negatively affecting me in the present. You also instructed me regarding the useful concept that I describe as “listening to my inner voice”. The results have been quite fulfilling to me.”

(Adre – Client)

“Sacred Dying Death Doula’s course is comprehensive, informative and perfect for South Africa. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the course”

(Denny – Student)

“My angel mother Mona, without you my life would still be an absolute mess! I have no hesitation in saying that I owe my current calm and happiness to Mona’s guidance. She has lifted the shortsighted blinkers from my eyes and introduced me to path of my future. I had issues, bitterness and no belief. My world now is positive, calm and happy. I have found an inner me that had been hidden for far too long. Thank you for your guidance and constant support, particularly in the early days when my bitterness was so raw.”

(Marc – Client)