Our Story
Before founding After Loss Guides, I worked for 17 years in nonprofit fundraising, eight of those as a consultant. One of my favorite clients was People’s Memorial Association, a funeral consumer advocacy organization and affiliated co-op funeral home.
Over 18 months working together, I learned just as much from them - about the funeral industry, green burial, the death positivity movement - as they did from me about fundraising and communications.
Their wonderful staff and partners gave me a full education, and a vision for reclaiming death as a deeply meaningful human experience.
Sarah Stewart
Founder & Lead Guide
My dad died in early 2024.
In the hours and days immediately following his death, I realized that I knew a lot about funerals that the other grieving members of my family did not.
I knew what sorts of decisions we needed to make, and about choices available to us that were not advertised, and that we rarely hear about in our death-averse culture.
By sharing what I knew with my family, we were able to make choices that were meaningful and healing parts of our grieving journey.
Even the simplest estate is …
a lot.
After the initial flurry of arrangements, we began to identify and organize the tasks required to settle my dad’s affairs. And wow! My dad left us a precious gift! (Here’s a hint, it wasn’t a secret horde of gold.)
Far in advance of any illness or old age, he deliberately contemplated, documented, and then fully-executed his wishes for the end of his life and estate. His documents and passwords were easy to locate and up-to-date.
His planning provided a clarity about his wishes that has been a solace to us as we grieve, and made settling his estate as easy as possible.
Even still, there was an absolute mountain of tasks required to notify and close accounts - healthcare providers, banks, insurance, the DMV, utility companies, and more.
Dad made it literally as easy as possible, and it was still so much work.
We can help make it easier for you.
SARAH STEWART
Sarah is a compassionate problem-solving wizard who sees straight to what matters most, and loves to get things done.
A native of Port Townsend, Washington, now growing roots in New Hampshire, Sarah spent her 20s as a river guide on wilderness rivers … and also worked in a boutique selling haute couture wedding dresses.
These days, she balances her work with home improvement projects and going on adventures with her husband and kiddos, especially finding beautiful places to swim.
Our Service Areas
We are happy to offer our services remotely no matter where you are located, and have special knowledge and love for Washington, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
If you are not sure if we can support you due to location, please contact us and we’ll figure it out together.