Creative Grief and Ritual Care with Yarrow Magdalena

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Yarrow Magdalena, a maker, writer, and grief companion living on the east coast of Scotland. Yarrow shares their journey into death work, from training as a death doula in 2019 to navigating profound personal loss after the unexpected passing of their mother in July 2024.

Together, we share what it means to tend to grief through handmade practices using thread, cloth, and ritual, and how creativity can become a sacred space for healing.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Yarrow came to death work before experiencing major personal loss, and how their practice has deepened since their mother’s passing
• The similarities and differences between various types of shock and grief — from a life-changing accident to sudden loss
• The powerful practice of creating memorial quilts using loved ones’ textiles and clothing
• Why hand-stitching and textile work can be such healing practices during grief
• The importance of naming our identities, and how different aspects of who we are carry their own grief
• Practical ways to be an activist for folks who are disabled, living remotely, or have limited capacity
• Simple rituals that help, like creating a physical grief space in your home or working with tarot

Yarrow also shares touching memories of their mother Marina, the gift of their last goodbye, and how they balance running two podcasts (Grief Glimmers and The Kind Business Podcast) while honoring their own grief journey.

Be sure to head over to Grief Glimmers to listen to my episode on Yarrow's podcast.

Find Yarrow’s work at glimmerportal.com and pinkwellstudio.com.

If you'd like to share what this episode brought up for you...

• Leave me a 90 second voice note
• Message me on Instagram
• Send me an email

Learn more about my work at my website www.hafezdeathcare.com
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter

🎵 Theme song: 'Lullaby' by Iranian oud player Negâr Boubân