About

At Care Registries (www.careregistries.com), we offer two key services to support families during end-of-life care.

First, our Care Registry is a care coordination platform designed to support caregivers. It allows caregivers to specify the type of help they need and when they need it, and send these requests to their trusted network of friends, family, and neighbors. This network can easily sign up to offer the needed assistance, helping alleviate the emotional, physical, and logistical burdens of caregiving.

Second, we provide personalized end-of-life planning tools for the dying person, offering access to various end-of-life resources like advance directives, hospice care, and after-death planning. These resources empower individuals and their families to navigate this sensitive stage of life with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re a caregiver or preparing for end-of-life, Care Registries (www.careregistries.com) offers essential tools and support to guide you through this journey.

The creation of www.careregistries.com was inspired by two poignant observations about our society’s approach to death and caregiving.

In modern society, death is often viewed through a lens of avoidance and denial. We frequently witness how this perspective leads to an unfortunate reality for many families—the experience of dying can be fraught with fear, confusion, and isolation. The emergence of conscious death and dying philosophies offers a pathway to a more peaceful and intentional approach to end-of-life experiences. However, despite the availability of these transformative ideas, many families still lack ready access to vital information and resources related to end-of-life planning. We believe that we can do better. Everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with their mortality meaningfully, ensuring that the final chapter of life is characterized by dignity, choice, and personal connection.

The second observation stems from the recognition that caregivers—those who provide essential support and comfort during the end-of-life journey—often face overwhelming challenges without adequate resources. Despite their critical role, many caregivers find themselves isolated and under-supported, leading to burnout and emotional distress. Their wellbeing is paramount, not only for their own health but also for the quality of care they provide to their loved ones.

Driven by these observations, we set out to make a difference for dying persons, their caregivers, and the loved ones left behind. Care Registries aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and accessibility, fostering genuine human connections at a time when they matter most. By providing a platform that empowers families with the necessary tools and support for end-of-life planning, we hope to transform the end-of-life experience into one that honors the dignity of every individual and fosters resilience among caregivers.
Through our work, we aspire to create a compassionate community where families can find the resources they need to navigate the complexities of end-of-life caregiving and planning.

The creation of www.careregistries.com is deeply rooted in my personal journey and the observations I’ve made throughout my life. Growing up in 1980s mainland China, during a time when most families were poor and lived in cramped quarters, death was a normalized part of life. When people died, their bodies were often displayed in neighborhood alleyways on modest beds, surrounded by simple offerings. Family members would sit with their deceased loved ones for three days and two nights, allowing friends, neighbors, and family from afar to pay their respects and say goodbye. Even a passerby might stop, bow, and offer condolences, celebrating lives well lived and congratulating the departed for transitioning to a better existence.

To my child self, death was honored as a significant event. While it was undeniably sad, the belief that our souls continue on in a better existence provided tremendous comfort. My parents often took me to neighborhood funerals, and while they chatted with adults, I, along with other children, would approach the bodies, often encouraged by bowls of candies placed nearby. Reflecting on it now, I wonder if those candy bowls were intentionally positioned to help children muster the courage to pay their respects and receive a reward for their bravery. This practice instilled in me a perspective that saw death—not as something to fear—but as a natural part of life.

For many years, I assumed that everyone shared this view, until I became an adult myself. I was struck by the intense fear surrounding death, particularly in the U.S., where it has become a taboo subject. I often found myself at a loss for words when encountering those experiencing loss, offering platitudes that felt hollow. It was frustrating to see so much suffering stemming from fear of death. Why couldn’t people see death the way I did? I believed that if they could, there would be far less anguish. For a long time, I remained silent, continuing to offer empty platitudes while suppressing my true feelings.

Through a series of life events, I embarked on a spiritual journey that opened my eyes to the precious gift of my perspective on death. I became inspired—no, compelled—to learn about conscious death and dying. I sought the tools and skills necessary to support both the dying and their grieving family members through this challenging process, helping them emerge on the other side intact, whole, and even transformed. Surrounding myself with like-minded souls who cherished open discussions about death became a significant part of my path.

I pursued the Thanatology program from The Art of Dying Institute – The Open Center, along with the Death Doula program from INELDA. Many times, I was moved to tears, deeply touched by the wisdom of pioneering instructors in the field of conscious death and dying. Their teachings—derived from decades of dedication—resonated with my soul. They were hospice workers, death café organizers, end-of-life care program directors, green funeral advocates, death doulas, grief counselors, chaplains, medical doctors, and more. They embodied everything I aspired to be. Their knowledge inspired me to share what I had learned with others, hoping it would fill hearts and heal souls as it did mine.

As I reflect on this journey, I want to share a few thoughts that inspire me:

• Death is a moment of sacredness, an opportunity for introspection, humility, and compassion. — INELDA Instructor
• Our divine essence transcends death. Death is not the end but a celebration of a life well lived and learned, serving as a gateway to a beautiful existence beyond. — Me
• Fear of death and sadness from death are surprisingly different. Sadness is a part of living, while fear can be life-preventing. My intention is to help people see death for what it is—a part of life—so they can live fully. Experiencing sadness is natural, but upon embracing it, we can continue to live life to its fullest.
• The term “dying person” should not solely define anyone.This label grossly minimizes their, and one day our own, divine essence that brightly shines even in the last days, hours and minutes of this earthly life.

Through Care Registries, I am committed to fostering genuine human connections, bridging the gap between knowledge and accessibility in end-of-life planning, and providing the necessary caregiver support. Together, we can redefine our relationship with death and create a compassionate community that honors both the dying and those who care for them.