Author: heathermhill@gmail.com

Why the Words We Use Around Suicide Matter

Why the Words We Use Around Suicide Matter

Posted by | Oct 16, 2025 | , , , , , |

Why the Words We Use Around Suicide Matter As a funeral director, I usually know how someone died before I ever sit with their family. But often, they don’t know that I know. I watch them wrestle with how to say it, how to explain it, how to make sense of what happened. Sometimes they whisper, “He committed suicide,” and then immediately look down. Sometimes they can’t say it at all. It’s one of the hardest parts of my job, not because of the paperwork or the arrangements, but because of the shame that still lingers in those words....

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Eight Years Now

Eight Years Now

Posted by | Dec 5, 2022 | , , |

Eight years. Can’t even fathom it’s been 8 years tomorrow. I frequently watch the slideshow that Anna made for his funeral. I just watched it and re-studied the face that was once so familiar. I have a video of him laughing, the laugh that I frequently heard from the other room. Jon’s laugh was one of a kind. He laughed hardest at his own jokes and it was unforgettable. But, it’s not as familiar any longer. Speaking of laughter from the other room… so much time has gone by that hearing a man’s voice in the house used to...

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The Day My Dad Died

The Day My Dad Died

Posted by | Dec 22, 2019 | , , , , |

I am forever changed by this privilege.  I equate watching someone die to the experience of having a baby, you think you know what to expect, but until it happens to you, you have no idea. I know I’m not the first person in my circle to lose a parent. I don’t claim to have any unique experience with it, except that it was my experience, and one that I will treasure. The quickest back story is that my dad had been suffering with COPD and emphysema for years, I don’t know how many, but he had to have been...

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Five Years Now

Five Years Now

Posted by | Dec 6, 2019 | , , , , |

Let’s just start off by saying this… There is ALL the emotions this year! Every single one! I miss him so much. I miss his smile, his touch, his laughter, his knowledge, his dedication, and his face. I write these posts for my present self, my future self, and for my daughter. Girls just always need to have all of the information about everything. Sarah is really curious about my pregnancy and her birth. What was it like to be pregnant? Were you stressed out when you were pregnant with me? Did it hurt? Did you carry low or...

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Death Positive Movement-Let’s Get Positive

Death Positive Movement-Let’s Get Positive

Posted by | Aug 19, 2018 | , , , , |

The Death Positive Movement was coined by Caitlin Doughty and is defined by several tenets that basically state that positive changes can be made surrounding the discussions about death and dying. We need to be open to talk about death and dying, we need to break the silence of the funeral industry, we need to be active in changing the laws around death and dying, we need to ensure our choices are honored and that having a more hands on approach to caring for our dead can be a healing experience. It also follows the guidelines that the least...

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About Me

Hi I'm Heather Hill I am a Mom of three, sharing my experiences of becoming a widow while working as a funeral director. Share in my adventure of healing and helping. I'm just getting started, stay tuned for more content.

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