d-school

Why Dying (D) School?

So we can learn to say goodbye + live + love better

For some of us, curiosity about end-of-life is part of our human experience. Others, not so much. Many would rather not ever think about dying. I suspect that’s not you. You’ve likely keenly interested in what dying is, how it works, why it matters, and what it IS.

A personal experience may have opened the door for you. Or a book. Or a non-ordinary experience. Now you’ve found yourself here, wondering how you can take a deeper dive. That’s what D-School is for.

What is Dying School?

Dying School is an online 3-month investigation into the end of life: the physical/emotional parts, absurdities, mysteries, ordinary and non-ordinary experiences of breath leaving the body for the last time, and what we individually and culturally make that mean.

We do this investigation together, in community. It matters that we engage this way because we learn from each other.

There’s a thing that happens during the first few weeks of D-School when we stop being individuals in a class and become a group of people moving together. You’ll feel it. The click-in has its own timing. We can’t rush it because we can’t rush trust.

This work requires trust.
Trusting yourself.
Trusting the space as safe.
Trusting that your vulnerable self will be held.

It is vulnerable to step into a class to learn about dying. You’ll be learning how to be with someone at end-of-life and care for someone you love while taking care of yourself. You’ll enter into a conversation with yourself about your own mortality. Previous participants have commented on how life-affirming and life-giving this course is. Tender and sad in moments? Sure. We laugh too. The connections and vulnerabilities between us hold us.

Registration Full for 2024

Join 2025 Interest List

In D-school, you join into a robust and beautiful community. Here’s the dream:

We will all help care for someone who isn’t a family member as part of our work in the world, lending ourselves to a fellow human being who needs us.

In the US, we are not equipped to care for the millions of baby boomers who will need end-of-life care in the next 15-20 years. I believe the way we will get through this time is neighbor helping neighbor. My hope is that the cohorts of D-School will grow into a potent + kind + well-equipped community of carers to help when needed.

I teach with stories. Some I tell. Many are from people at end-of-life themselves, captured in video and audio recordings, who’ve asked to have aspects of their own lives shared. They wanted a legacy and this work is a way for them to continue to give and share.

Every year, we have a great group of guest speakers and teachers for class conversations. In the past we’ve heard from Glee, Claudette, Noble, and Anne: beloveds who’ve shared stories from their last days. We’ve also heard from colleagues Amy Cunningham, William Peters, Sarah Kerr, Dr. Heather Veeder, Adriana Garza, all doing beautiful work in the world related to end-of-life and grief.

It is a rich three months.

Over 11 weeks, you’ll learn:

Mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of care for the dying person, family members, and yourself

Hospice: what it is and how to collaborate with the hospice team
Trajectory of dying through the senses: what caregivers will see, smell, hear, feel, and more

The language of dying: understanding metaphors, movement, and behaviors as the dying person has one foot in this world and one foot in another

Rituals before and after death
Caring for the body at home after death + natural burial

Ordinary + Non-ordinary experiences for the dying person and caregivers

Meaning making: how we make sense of what’s happening
Somatic embodiment: interpreting the language of the body
Tending anticipatory grief and grief after the death

From Alumni

“The Rachel video was so interesting. And that audio of her mom! Her mom sounded so sweet and confident in going home. The picture that Rachel painted was in stark contrast to my experiences of dying and death. I’m starting to question some of the lonnnng-held beliefs I have about it. Also I really appreciated that the interview felt intimate (b/c it was, but I could feel that too as the viewer) and deeply appreciated the moments of levity and humor.”

“This is an amazing program with Martha Jo Atkins. If this calls to you, don't miss this opportunity.”

“I experienced first hand not only your intelligence and wisdom taking your Dying School course, but perhaps what drew me to you on a more powerful level was your sense of calm, safety, connection to all that is, safety and love. I desperately wanted to feel safe, heard, seen, connected and loved - and receive all of that along with tools to keep me afloat, and hopefully even find my true value and finally grow into who i really am.”

“This is the class you need to take, you will learn about death and dying but most importantly you will learn to LIVE until you die without fear. Dr. Martha Jo Atkins, with all her expertise and experience, will help you understand death is as natural as living and that dying can be a beautiful event. After taking this class you will live your life completely different. Believe me, you won't regret it!”

D-School FAQs

You have curiosities about end of life, dying, death, and an interest in deepening your knowledge. You feel called; you get it.
No.
There are no prerequisites beyond your curiosity.
Things of Practical Use:
- Computer / Phone with a good internet connection
- Web camera
All classes will take place virtually online.

Registration usually opens in mid-November and runs through February until spots fill.
Total Cost in 2024 was $1750. Early Registrants (Nov/Dec) usually receive a $250 discount.
Payment may be made in full or in 3 installments.
Tuition refunds are offered less a $50 admin fee through January 31.
No refunds will be offered after February 1