March Program
A Death Doula's View on The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
Lauren Ponder is the owner of "With Love" an end-of-life planning company that offers a new take on traditional celebrations. She is passionate about creating a death positive mindset, end-of-life planning, and celebrating legacy. Lauren is a certified Death Doula (End-of-Life-Doula) and the Director of Last Call Events. Driven by her passion for creating spaces where conversations about death are welcomed, Lauren founded the St. Louis Death Positive Collective and spearheaded St. Louis’ first-ever death positive festival, Last Call: An End of Life Festival. Both initiatives foster community, education, and advocacy, sparking a cultural shift toward greater agency and understanding at the end of life.
Lauren’s presentation will touch on Swedish Death Cleaning, how organizers like us might work with Death Doulas, and emotional connections to the "stuff" in a person’s life are important to respect and value at any stage of life or death.
About Lauren
What if conversations about death felt empowering instead of uncomfortable?
Lauren Ponder is leading this transformation as a certified End-of-Life Planner (Death Doula) and the Director of Last Call Events. Since launching With Love Events in 2018, she has guided countless individuals through meaningful pre-planning for end-of-life events and beyond. Driven by her passion for creating spaces where conversations about death are welcomed, Lauren founded the St. Louis Death Positive Collective and spearheaded St. Louis' first-ever death positive festival, Last Call: An End of Life Festival. Both initiatives foster community, education, and advocacy, sparking a cultural shift toward greater agency and understanding at the end of life.
Lauren’s mission is simple but profound: to demystify death and encourage people to live fully by preparing thoughtfully for life's inevitable transitions. She invites you to join her in reimagining death as a topic that’s less taboo and more...well, celebratory.
Meeting Format
- 9:00am Optional: Socializing/Networking
- 9:15am Welcome/Introductions
- 9:30am Business Partner Spotlight
- 9:45am Featured Program
- 10:50am Member Minute: Kathy LeDuc
- 11:10am Announcements
- 11:30am Adjourn/Optional: Q&A for New Members and Guests
Chapter Members do not need to register for this meeting. Guests can register for $20 on our website.
REMEMBER - Please sign in at the membership table when you first arrive.
Veteran members - don't forget to bring your name tag. If this is your first in-person meeting, we will create a name tag for you.
A reminder that our trade table is available to swap out business-related resources, such as books, bags, and home office materials. Friendly reminder: if no one takes your item(s), please take them back. You can bring them to the next meeting!
