I’m a lifelong spiritual adventurer and death initiate.
I am a trained clinical pastor as well as a death worker, and have experience working in interfaith situations with patients and family members. Being allowed into the sacred space that surrounds death and dying is the greatest honor of my life, and I see my role as one that changes with every family that I encounter based on what is needed in the moment and in the structure of a particular family.
I have completed a death midwifery apprenticeship with Narinder Bazen and am a member of the following organizations:
I am currently a student at the ALEPH Ordination Program, where I am on the path to receive smicha (ordination) in the tradition of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l as clergy in the lineage of the Renewal movement. At ALEPH, I am honing my skills as rising clergy and receiving vital guidance and oversight from senior rabbis as well as peers on the path to the smicha themselves. Through ALEPH, I am associated with these organizations as well:
- ACPE: Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
- OHALA: Association of Rabbis and Cantors for Jewish Renewal
When I am not doing death work, I am spending time with my dog and cats, writing poetry, making mosaics, and connecting with community. I’m an avid reader and gamer and love learning new things.
What does my death midwifery look like?
The way I show up is deeply dependent on what the needs of a particular family are in the moment. I bring all of my curiosity and compassion to the door when we meet, and I let that curiosity guide me as I learn about the family and loved ones that are joining me in supporting and caring for a person as they are dying.
Much of what I bring to the table is a wealth of knowledge and a passion for death education. I believe that the best thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones is to make our wishes surrounding our dying clear so that they can support us and fulfill our wishes.
My presence in your life means that you will have someone by your side who understands the process of death and dying and who can make sure that everything that needs to be done will be done smoothly and with your wellbeing at the center of everyone’s consideration.
What People Say
I have learned from Seraphina that I need to stop, think, and pray before lashing out, venting my anger, or wanting to give up.
Member of my CPE Cohort
You are alive. A death midwife knows when one is living.
Narinder Elizabeth Bazen
Seraphina embodies the tenants of her Jewish faith and can easily relate to her patients and peers, considering their varying beliefs.
Robin Ross, Certified Educator, ACPE
Sincere Death Work 