Certified death midwife to open eco-friendly funeral parlor at historic Apple Valley Inn.
A local business woman wants to help families transition their loved ones into the after life.
The Apple Valley Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a conditional use permit for an eco-friendly funeral facility at the historic Apple Valley Inn.
Shawn Lavalleur Adame, a certified death midwife, will move into an existing 1,700-square-foot free-standing building where she’ll prepare bodies for off-site burials. The Apple Valley woman told the commission her facility will only hold three bodies at a time.
Bodies will come to Adame at the funeral parlor where she’ll use American-made, handcrafted and eco-friendly burial products to prepare the dearly departed for burial services on land or at sea.
What is a death midwife?
A birth midwife or doula is a trained professional who assists someone before, during and after childbirth.
They work alongside a healthcare team to provide emotional and physical support, education and guidance to make sure you have a positive birthing experience, according to medical experts.
Similarly, a death midwife — also known as an end-of-life doula, end-of-life coach, death midwife, or death coach — assists a dying person and their loved ones before, during and after death.
An end-of-life doula provides emotional and physical support, education about the dying process, preparation for what’s to come and guidance while you’re grieving.
DYI Dying
Adame is also a funeral celebrant, ordained minister and licensed funeral director. With over 17 years of experience, she advocates for home funeral and green burial practices.
In 2006, Adame began her journey in death care with a career in the funeral industry serving Southern California.
After the death of her brother in 2013, Adame took intensive training in the art of death midwifery obtaining certifications as a death midwife and funeral celebrant.
She has since dedicated her future and business, DIY (Design It Yourself) DYING, to guide families and the dying through creating meaningful rituals and environments for the process of dying to be dignified, peaceful, and in the comfort of your own home.
Other after-death funeral services provided by Adame include home funerals, green burials, human composting, flame cremations, water cremations and memorial services.
Funeral parlor
Before opening, the building will undergo inspections by fire officials, code enforcement and the state’s Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, Adame told the Daily Press on Thursday.
“After the inspections, I’ll get my business license and I’ll be ready to help those looking to transition their loved ones for burial,” Adame said.
All caskets, shrouds and urns at the parlor must be constructed from plant-derived, recycled, natural, animal, or unfired earthen materials, including shell, liner, and adornments, according to Adame’s website.
No embalming will be conducted at the location, but mainly less invasive and natural techniques such as cold storage, aromatherapy, essential oils, and home viewings and sponge-bathing of bodies.
Loved ones will also have an opportunity to say their final goodbyes at the funeral facility, however, there will be no funerals, wakes, vigils, or group services.
The facility will include a storage room, office space, an urn display room for guests, an identification and informal viewing room, and a three-body storage cooler.
For more information on Adame or her business, visit diydying.com.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Certified death midwife to open eco-friendly funeral parlor
