Deathcraft exists to make conversations about death, dying, and remembrance feel less frightening and more human.
Through writing, education, and gentle hands-on practices, this space invites a slower, more intentional way of relating to death—one grounded in care rather than avoidance.
Whether you are tending to a loved one’s grave, planning ahead, navigating loss, or simply learning how to be with death more honestly, you are welcome here.
✔ Death-positive and non-judgmental
✔ Trauma-informed and consent-centered
✔ Grounded in sacred deathcare and real-world experience
What you’ll find here:
-
DEATH-POSITIVE WRITING & EDUCATION
Essays, guides, and reflections on mortality, grief, ritual, legacy, and conscious end-of-life care.
-
GRAVE TENDING Services
Reverent care for burial sites, including cleaning, seasonal teending, offerings, and intentional acts of remembrance—performed with respect for the dead, the land, and the families connected to them.
This work may be especially meaningful for those who are distant, disabled, grieving, or unable to tend a grave themselves.
-
GENTLE GUIDANCE & PREPARATION
Supportive information around home funerals, after-death care, and advance planning—shared without urgency or fear-based framing.
-
COMMUNITY & CONVERSATION
An invitation into more open dialogue about death, grief, and remembrance through shared stories and learning.
MY JOURNEY INTO DEATHWORK
A path carved by care, grief, and the calling of deathwork.
Photo by Soulful Film
CONTENT WARNING: The story I share here touches on illness, disability, mental health (including hospitalization and suicide), death and dying (of loved ones and beloved pets), grief, and sudden loss through violence and accidents. Please move through this story at your own pace and take care of your well-being as you read.
Some of my earliest memories are of visits to the doctor—being poked, prodded, swabbed, and prescribed the sweet, pink syrup of amoxicillin. As a child, I was no stranger to illness: strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis, viral infections, and at the age of four, an asthma diagnosis. I remember asking my mom if people could die from asthma. She didn’t sugarcoat it, explaining that while it was possible, it was unlikely in my case. Thanks to an inhaler and medication, I was able to live a relatively active childhood, participating in dance, cheerleading, and regular everyday activities.
But as I got older, things changed. I began struggling with widespread chronic pain and debilitating fatigue. By fourteen, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, hypermobile spectrum disorder (HSD) and POTS/dysautonomia. I eventually quit cheerleading, a sport I had loved from an early age. At my worst, I was sleeping up to sixteen hours a day—if I wasn’t at school, I was in bed. Some days, I missed school entirely because I physically couldn’t get up.
Eventually, a rheumatologist prescribed me a medication that didn’t leave me feeling completely numb or wired. It helped manage my symptoms and, for a while, I was able to get by. But by the time I reached college, the medication had stopped working as well. Both my physical and mental health took a serious hit.
That period in my life culminated in a suicide attempt. Overwhelmed by the strain of working, going to school full time, being chronically ill, and trying to keep up with the social life of a “normal” young adult; I couldn’t see a way out. Fortunately, I survived. But it was the catalyst for new diagnoses—major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and borderline personality disorder. I left my job and entered a partial hospitalization program at a psychiatric facility for over a month to get the help I needed.
Since then, I’ve spent years seeking support from psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, and therapists, collecting a variety of mental health diagnoses along the way—bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, etc. But after starting medication for ADHD, I realized that I might actually be autistic, and that many of my mental health struggles were the result of autistic burnout. That realization alone could fill a novel, but it’s a journey I continue to explore.
Throughout all of this, my physical health remained complex and ever-changing. I’m still chronically ill, and more recently, I’ve been diagnosed with lupus and PFAPA—a periodic fever syndrome. These conditions shape my daily reality and deepen my understanding of the body’s fragility and resilience.
After one of my stays in a psychiatric hospital, I decided I wanted to help others feel good about themselves. I enrolled in cosmetology school, and after a bit of hard work, I finished school, graduated, passed the dreaded state board exam, and earned my cosmetology license—something I hadn’t accomplished since high school. As a licensed Master Cosmetologist in Kentucky, I worked in salons as a hairstylist and in a photo studio as an assistant stylist. Though I still find fulfillment in helping others feel good about their appearance, I began to feel a shift in my desire to make a bigger impact.
Death had always brushed close to my life. My first run-in with death was when Kacey, my family's dog, was poisoned by a neighbor and had to be euthanized. My next experience was the death of my “Nanny,” my grandmother, when I was just five years old, which, despite being so young, impacted me greatly. As a young adult, I experienced a string of deaths of close friends caused by addiction, as well as the losses of a few beloved pets. In 2020, I cared for my sister’s dog after she suddenly lost the use of her back legs. For months, I nursed her daily, taking her to the vet for special treatments until she regained mobility. Though she eventually had to be euthanized after a sudden seizure on Halloween night, that time with her showed me both the labor and the love of tending another being through decline.
In the years that followed, grief seemed to gather. I lost my grandfather to Parkinson’s disease, two cousins (one to a car accident and one to gun violence), and a family friend to a sudden heart attack. These losses arrived one after another, compounding the truth I already knew: I was no stranger to death.
Somewhere along that path, I kept encountering the phrase 'death doula.' Each time, it struck me like a bell—familiar and resonant, as though naming something I already carried within me. By the time those waves of grief arrived, I couldn’t ignore the pull anymore.
In spring 2023, I wrote an essay in hopes of earning a scholarship to the Deathwives’ Deathschool program. Luckily, my story moved them and I was able to enroll, and in doing so, I stepped fully into deathwork—a path that felt less like a career choice and more like a homecoming.
Through my own experiences with illness, pain, and near-death, I’ve come to confront mortality in ways that many don’t until much later in life, if at all. In a society that treats death and dying as taboo subjects, I believe we’re missing out on living life to the fullest.
Now, through my work with Deathcraft, I hope to break the silence and bring these difficult conversations out into the open—into our homes, around our dinner tables, and within our communities. I want to educate people about death and dying, end-of-life care, advance care planning, home funerals, and the kind of compassionate care that our ancestors used to give each other. Deathwork is sacred, human-to-human work that our society desperately needs, and I’m committed to bringing it back into the light.
A grounded approach to deathcare
Deathcraft is informed by hands-on experience in sacred deathcare, end-of-life companionship, and death education. This work honors both the practical realities of caring for the dead and the emotional, spiritual, and cultural dimensions that surround it.
Grave tending is approached not as maintenance, but as a form of relationship—one that acknowledges ongoing bonds between the living, the dead, and the land.
✔ Experience in compassionate end-of-life presence
✔ Respect for diverse beliefs and traditions
✔ Consent-based, trauma-informed care
✔ Clear boundaries and ethical practice
Learning & Lineage
My path into deathwork is both deeply personal and formally trained. I believe that deathcare is not only a profession but also a lineage of wisdom, compassion, and service that I am honored to step into.
I have trained with Deathwives’ Deathschool, where I received a scholarship to study sacred deathcare, home funerals, grief support, and end-of-life education. I’ve continued my studies with The Centre for Sacred Deathcare, End-of-Life University, and through the work of renowned hospice nurse and educator Barbara Karnes, RN.
Alongside classroom training, I’ve gained hands-on experience as a Compassionate Companion at Hildegard House—Kentucky’s only comfort care home—where I supported residents in their final days of life with presence, care, and dignity.
Before stepping fully into deathwork, I earned my license as a Master Cosmetologist in Kentucky, working in salons and photo studios. This work honed my skills in attentive care, touch, and helping people feel at ease—skills that translate seamlessly into the intimate, human-centered work of deathcare.
My education is ongoing. I continue to deepen my learning through courses, mentorship, and community practice, drawing not only from modern death education but also from the ancestral traditions of tending the dying, caring for the dead, and supporting the living through grief.
This blend of personal lived experience, professional training, and community-based practice shapes the heart of Deathcraft and the care I bring to every family I serve.
Selected Studies & Certifications
Deathwives’ Deathschool — Sacred deathcare, home funerals, grief tending, end-of-life education (scholarship recipient)
La Mort — The Liminal (where Deathcraft was born)
The Centre for Sacred Deathcare — Designing a Healing Funeral, Navigating Pet Death
End-of-Life University — Death & Dying Course Instructor Training, Step-by-Step Roadmap for End-of-Life Planning
Hildegard House, Louisville, KY — Compassionate Companion volunteer; bedside support in comfort care home
Ancestral Medicine — Foundations of Ritual
Grave Tending Solutions — Grave Tending 101 (6 week course), Certified Grave Care Professional
Licensed Master Cosmetologist, Kentucky — Professional background in care, touch, and helping others feel seen
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: April 12, 2025
Last Updated: April 12, 2025
Welcome to deathcraft.org, the official website of Deathcraft, a small business based in Kentucky, USA, founded and operated by Kat Rist, LLC. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you interact with our website and services.
By using this site, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.
1. What Personal Data We Collect and Why
We collect personal data that you voluntarily provide to us through forms, course sign-ups, newsletter subscriptions, and direct communication.
Data we may collect includes:
Name
Email address
Location (if submitted)
Payment and billing information (processed securely via third-party providers)
Any personal messages you send us through contact forms or emails
Why we collect it:
To enroll you in courses and provide educational content
To send email updates, newsletters, or confirmations
To respond to inquiries and customer support requests
To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
We do not collect sensitive personal data unless required for specific service delivery (e.g., end-of-life planning forms), and always with your clear consent.
2. How User Data is Stored and Protected
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
Measures include:
Secure hosting environment (HTTPS encryption)
Restricted access to user data
Use of secure third-party services (e.g., Stripe for payments, Mailchimp or similar for newsletters)
Regular site updates and security audits
Despite our best efforts, no online transmission is 100% secure. You use the website at your own risk, but we strive to ensure maximum protection.
3. Third-Party Services That Receive User Data
We use reputable third-party service providers to operate essential functions of our business. These third parties may receive or process limited personal data on our behalf, only as needed.
Third-party providers include:
Payment Processing: Stripe or PayPal (for secure online payments)
Email Marketing: Mailchimp or similar (for newsletters and updates)
Web Hosting & Analytics: Google Analytics, WordPress, or similar tools
All third-party partners are obligated to comply with applicable data protection laws.
We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
4. User Rights and Choices Regarding Their Data
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
Access your personal data
Correct or update inaccurate data
Request deletion of your data
Withdraw consent for data processing
Opt-out of email marketing at any time
To exercise any of these rights, please contact kat@katrist.com with your request.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
DeathCraft.org uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, analyze site traffic, and customize content.
Cookies may track:
Pages visited
Session duration
Browser type and preferences
Interaction with features or forms
You may disable cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.
6. Compliance with GDPR and CCPA
We are committed to data protection compliance and aim to meet the requirements of:
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) — for users in the European Union
CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) — for users in California
If you are a resident of these regions, you are entitled to specific rights regarding your data. Please contact us to learn more or to exercise your rights.
7. Copyright & Media Usage
All original content on this website — including text, graphics, and course materials — is authored by Kat Rist and published under the brand Deathcraft.
All images and media are sourced under Creative Commons licensing, and copyright remains with the respective owners unless otherwise stated.
Unauthorized use of original content is prohibited without prior written consent.
8. Contact Information for Privacy Inquiries
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please reach out to:
Kat Rist
📍 Kentucky, USA
📧 kat@katrist.com
🌐 www.katrist.com/deathcraft
Deathcraft is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect and use personal data only as necessary to provide our services. We do not sell or share user data with third parties unless required by law or as part of essential service functions.
Terms of Service
Last Updated: 10/09/2025
Welcome to Deathcraft.org, the official website of Deathcraft, an educational and service-based small business founded and represented by Kat Rist, LLC in Kentucky, USA. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of this website and all services offered by Deathcraft, including educational content, online courses, and in-person grave tending and memorial care services.
By accessing or using this website or any Deathcraft services, you agree to these Terms in full. If you do not agree, please do not use this site or our services.
1. User Eligibility and Account Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to use this site or access our services. By using Deathcraft.org or booking a Deathcraft service, you represent that:
You are at least 18 years of age, or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction
Any information you provide is accurate, complete, and up to date
You will maintain the confidentiality of your login information (if applicable) and are responsible for all activity under your account
Deathcraft reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate accounts or services that violate these Terms or are deemed unsafe or inappropriate.
2. Payment Terms and Refund Policies
Certain services offered by Deathcraft — including online courses, digital downloads, and grave tending services — require payment. Payments are processed securely via third-party providers (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, Square).
By purchasing a product or booking a service, you agree to:
Pay all applicable fees at the time of purchase or booking
Provide valid and authorized payment information
Follow the applicable refund and cancellation policies below
Refund Policy (Digital and Educational Services):
Refunds for digital content (such as online courses or downloads) are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact kat@deathcraft.org within 7 days of purchase if you believe you are eligible. No refunds will be issued once course content has been accessed or downloaded unless required by law.
Refund Policy (Grave Tending Services):
Grave tending appointments may be canceled or rescheduled up to 48 hours in advance of the scheduled service. Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior may result in a partial refund or credit toward a future booking at Deathcraft’s discretion.
Refunds are not available for completed services. In cases of inclement weather, cemetery closure, or safety concerns, Deathcraft reserves the right to reschedule the service or offer a suitable refund.
3. Grave Tending and Memorial Care Services
Deathcraft provides grave tending, cleaning, and light memorial maintenance services with respect, reverence, and care for the deceased and their loved ones.
By booking a Deathcraft grave tending service, you acknowledge and agree that:
You have lawful authority or permission to request maintenance or cleaning of the specified grave or plot
You will provide accurate details about the cemetery location and access instructions
Cemetery rules and local regulations must be observed at all times
Certain conditions (such as unsafe weather, restricted access, or fragile markers) may prevent completion of specific tasks
Before-and-after photographs may be taken for documentation and client updates; any public sharing will only occur with your explicit consent
Deathcraft is not responsible for existing damage, natural wear, or deterioration to headstones or landscaping, nor for damage caused by factors outside its control.
4. Intellectual Property and Content Ownership
All original content on Deathcraft.org — including text, graphics, videos, photographs, and course materials — is the intellectual property of Kat Rist and published under the Deathcraft brand unless otherwise stated.
Creative Commons Usage:
Images and media sourced under Creative Commons licensing remain the property of their respective creators, and proper attribution is provided wherever applicable.
You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works based on Deathcraft content without written permission, except as allowed under Creative Commons or fair use provisions.
5. Acceptable Use Policy
You agree to use Deathcraft.org and all related services for lawful, respectful, and ethical purposes only.
Prohibited actions include (but are not limited to):
Attempting to hack, disrupt, or damage the website or its servers
Distributing malware, spam, or harmful code
Harassing, threatening, or abusing any individual
Using the site to promote hate speech, misinformation, or unlawful activity
Misrepresenting your identity or affiliations
Copying or redistributing course materials, images, or service documentation without permission
Violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of access and potential legal action.
6. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
Educational Disclaimer:
All information and materials provided by Deathcraft are for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as legal, medical, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals for legal or medical decisions.
Service Disclaimer:
Grave tending and memorial care services are aesthetic and symbolic acts of care. Deathcraft does not perform structural restoration, stone repair, or historical conservation unless explicitly stated. All work is carried out using gentle, non-invasive methods and industry-recommended materials, but results may vary depending on the condition of the site, weather, and access.
Limitation of Liability:
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Deathcraft, Kat Rist, and affiliated partners shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, Deathcraft.org or any related services, including in-person grave tending or educational offerings.
7. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
Dispute Resolution:
If a dispute arises, please contact kat@deathcraft.org first to attempt informal resolution. If no resolution is reached, disputes will be settled through binding arbitration in Kentucky, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
8. Modification of Terms
Deathcraft reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of Deathcraft.org or any services constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.
We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed of your rights and obligations.
Contact Information
If you have questions about these Terms or any aspect of Deathcraft’s services, please contact:
Kat Rist, LLC
📧 kat@katrist.com
🌐 www.katrist.com/deathcraft
📍 Kentucky, USA
By using this site or booking a Deathcraft service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service.