MDC Summer Snapshot
From Father’s Day Support to cemetery restoration and community events - join us in reimagining deathcare in Michigan
Father’s Day Support
Father’s Day can bring warm memories for some and deep pain for others.
If this day feels tender for you, please know that you are not alone. Whether you’re grieving the loss of a father, a child, an estranged relationship, infertility, or the dream of fatherhood that never came to be - this day can hold sadness as much as love.
One of our founders, Hanna Hasselschwert, lost her dad at a young age and understands the ache and complexity days like this can carry. We want to hold space for whatever this day brings up for you and share some gentle reminders that might help you navigate it. Please take what you need and leave the rest.
Gentle Reminders:
It’s okay to be sad.
It’s okay to be angry.
It’s okay to feel nothing at all.
You don’t have to celebrate this day.
You can honor your person in a way that feels right for you.
You’re allowed to skip the cookouts, the cards, the store aisles.
It’s okay to check out for the day.
It’s okay to say no.
It’s okay to cry.
It’s okay to laugh.
You are not alone in your grief.
Find support in people who get it - friends, community, a therapist, a grief group.
This day is complicated. Your feelings are valid. You are held. Just remember to be kind to yourself this weekend and do what feels best for you, there’s no right or wrong way to spend this time. If we can be of support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Host of Last Chapter Collective, Sher Ganz, has put together some Suggested Reading during this time <3
MDC Updates!
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve officially submitted our 1023-EZ form and are now in the waiting phase for our 501(c)(3) status! This step brings us closer to becoming a fully recognized nonprofit, and we couldn’t have gotten here without your support. Thank you for believing in the work we’re building together.
This summer, you’ll find us popping up at local events - sharing resources, connecting with our community, and sparking important conversations about deathcare. Scroll down for our upcoming schedule along with a sign up if you’re interested in volunteering with us - can’t wait to see you!
Our Michigan Deathcare Directory is also growing! This resource uplifts small, Michigan-based businesses and professionals who serve their communities with compassion and integrity. We aim to include all facets of deathcare, including:
End-of-Life & Death Doulas
Animal End-of-Life Doulas
Massage Therapists & Energy Workers
Artisans & Memorial Creators
Herbalists & Alternative Healers
Alternative Ceremony Venues
Small, Local Funeral Homes
Florists Specializing in Memorial Arrangements
And many more!
Joining the directory helps individuals and families find care rooted in dignity and choice - while strengthening the wider movement for better deathcare across the state. Submit your info via our form or on our website; approvals typically take 48–72 hours.
Queer Death Cafe Day/Time Update!
Grey Allen’s Queer Death Cafe will shift to the third Wednesday of each month starting in July, held from 6:30–8pm at the Jim Toy Center in Ann Arbor. As always, these gatherings are free, open to all, and deeply welcoming.
Death Education - Speaker Series
Stay tuned for new monthly virtual speaker series, where we’ll be highlighting powerful voices in community-centered deathcare. From handmade caskets and infant loss to creative alternatives for cremains, each session invites you into an open, informal conversation with folks doing transformative work across Michigan’s deathcare landscape.
These donation-based Zoom talks take place on the final Thursday of each month at 5pm, offering a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and connect. Whether you're a deathcare professional, a curious community member, or someone navigating your own relationship with death and grief - you’re welcome here.
This is a donation-based event. Donations help support our guest speakers for their time, insight, and education, with a portion also going toward admin and tech needs. Suggested donation is $1 to $20 - every bit is appreciated, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Ways to Donate:
Venmo: @mideathcare
Square: Here!
Our first session kicks off June 26 at 5pm!
We’re honored to welcome Ashley Inclima of Tides of Life Doula Services as our first speaker. Ashley supports families through birth, loss, and life transitions with personalized grief coaching - while also equipping doulas and healthcare providers to offer compassionate, respectful perinatal loss care.
Woodlawn Cemetery Restoration Project
In 1946, Pastor Garther Roberson Sr. purchased a plot of land in Ypsilanti to provide a final resting place for Black community members during a time when racism and discrimination left few options. This land became Woodlawn Cemetery, the only documented Black cemetery in Washtenaw County.
Today, Woodlawn Cemetery stands as a testament to the lives of over 150 African Americans who were instrumental in shaping the history of Ypsilanti and the surrounding region. Unfortunately, historic burial records were lost in a fire during the 1950s and 60s. Through tireless research - using death certificates, historic newspapers, and community records, 61 individuals have been identified so far.
Over time, the cemetery has suffered from environmental damage and neglect. The Woodlawn Cemetery Restoration Project is committed to preserving this sacred space and honoring those buried there with the dignity they deserve.
Volunteer Opportunity:
Join us in this meaningful work on June 19th, from 12–3 PM. We will be there to clean, restore, and learn about the powerful history of this site.
If you'd like to volunteer with us or learn more, please email: mideathcare@gmail.com
All community members are welcome to participate and help preserve this vital piece of our shared Ypsilanti history.
*We are not the host of this event, we encourage you to fill out this form to get in touch!
Join Us for a Community Potluck!
An afternoon of shared food, stories, and community!
Whether you’ve attended a Death Cafe, Last Chapter Collective, work in deathcare, or simply community-minded and curious - you’re welcome here!
Bring a dish that feels special to you (feel free to bring the recipe and story behind it!). We will provide drinks!
Date & Time: Sunday, June 29th at 1pm
Location: Riverside Park
2 East Cross St., Ypsilanti
Other Events This Summer
Ypsilanti Saturday Farmers Market
June 28th
July 19th
August 9th
September 13th TBD
October 25th
Great Lakes Foragers Gathering
Thursday, June 19th - Saturday, June 22nd
*Use Code DEATHTENTHANNA or DEATHTENTMICHAEL for 20% off your ticket!
Thursday, July 10th - Saturday, July 13th
Saturday, July 19th
Saturday, July 26th
Saturday, August 2nd
Saturday, September 27th
In addition to our pop-ups and events, we host ongoing community gatherings that offer space for connection, conversation, and care:
Queer Death Cafe - Held the third Wednesday of each month from 6–7:30pm at the Jim Toy Center in Ann Arbor. A welcoming space for queer folks to talk openly about death and dying.
Ypsilanti Death Cafe - Come join us on the first Wednesday from 5–7pm and the third Saturday from 11:30am–1:30pm of each month at Bloodroot Herb Shop & Apothecary in Ypsilanti. These gatherings offer space for open, judgment-free conversations about death and grief.
Last Chapter Collective - A death-focused book club, meeting the final Saturday of each month from 2–3:30pm at Vertex Coffee in Ypsilanti.
Volunteer Opportunity:
We’re actively looking for volunteers to help with our summer outreach. Whether you're curious about joining the board in the future or just want to support the work, sign up here to lend a hand. We’d love to have you involved!
Get in Touch!
Email: mideathcare@gmail.com
Instagram: @mideathcare
Facebook: Michigan Deathcare Collaborative
Website: mideathcare.com
Phone: 734-358-1142 or 734-544-5177
Together, we can weave a network of care that reflects our shared values and ensures accessible, compassionate deathcare options for all Michiganders. Help us build this future - share our mission, join the movement, and help create a more inclusive, sustainable approach to end-of-life care in Michigan.
Warm Regards,
Michael Marie Schofield, Grey Allen, & Hanna Hasselschwert
