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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli continues her conversation with returning guests Ashley Meyveci, Co-founder and President of Luke’s Purpose, and Danielle Cristofano-Schwartz, Founder of Love From Lydia. Together, they explore the long road of parenting after child loss: the complex emotions, evolving identities, and how grief shows up every day.

Ashley shares how her daughter continues to grieve her younger brother, Luke, and how moments of joy are often mixed with guilt. Danielle reflects on parenting after the birth of her second child and the challenges of keeping Lydia’s memory present while still moving forward. The episode touches on co-parenting dynamics, milestones, and what grieving parents need most, not just in the early days, but over time.

This is part 2 of a 2-part series focused on parenting through grief.

Links/Resources

• Guest: Ashley Meyveci – https://www.lukespurpose.org
• Guest: Danielle Cristofano-Schwartz – https://www.lovefromlydia.com
• Host: Traci Arieli's Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.

In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli speaks with returning guests Ashley Meyveci, Co-founder and President of Luke’s Purpose, and Danielle Cristefano-Schwartz, Founder of Love From Lydia, about what it means to keep parenting after the unimaginable: the death of a child.

Ashley shares how life shifted after the loss of her son Luke, and what it was like to continue raising his older sister amid deep grief. Danielle reflects on how her identity as a parent changed after the death of her daughter Lydia, especially as she navigated pregnancy again and the awkwardness of being asked, “Is this your first?” Together, they talk about parenting through emotional exhaustion, how grief affects couples differently, and what helps them stay connected to the children they’ve lost and the ones still here.

This is part 1 of a 2-part series that honors the strength and honesty it takes to keep showing up as a parent after loss.

Links/Resources

• Guest: Ashley Meyveci – https://www.lukespurpose.org
• Guest: Danielle Cristefano-Schwartz – https://www.lovefromlydia.com
• Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation touched you or you know someone who might need to hear it, please pass it along.

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.

In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Marica Hofer, President of A Better Exit, to talk about a devastating and often overlooked fact: many people with diseases like ALS and dementia are locked out of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD).

Together, they discuss what’s broken in the law, what it means for people who are suffering, and why the ability to plan your own death is a form of dignity.

Marica shares her own story, the experiences of the families she’s supported, and the painful choices some are forced to make too early, just to retain autonomy. She offers advice on how advance directives work (and where they fall short), what families can do early in the diagnosis process, and how legislation needs to change to honor people’s wishes.

This episode aims to challenge assumptions, advocate for expanded access, and spark necessary conversations about equity and ethics in end-of-life care.

Links/Resources

• Guest: Marica Hofer, President of A Better Exit – https://abetterexit.org
• Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com
• A Better Exit Advance Planning Resources – https://abetterexit.org/resources
• End-of-life planning toolkit – https://compassionandchoices.org

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. These conversations matter and your support helps others find them too.