De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - For the last several years, a small but dedicated group of Cortes Islanders have been taking practical steps towards an ambitious goal for themselves and their community: a healthier relationship with death and dying. Their projects include regular meetings for discussion and support, humane and family-led funeral arrangements, and green (natural) burials in our local cemeteries.In Part One: Part 1What is the death care collective; what’s a regular meeting like?How did it begin (history from 2016-today) — Denman, Quadra, Salt Spring, CortesAn alternative to the funeral industry. Death-phobia in our culture.Catharsis and grieving. Kinds of help the collective can offer to bereaved families.Costs involved in a community-led funeral?Photo credit: Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash