Grief and Transition

holding hands new retreat
Mar 19, 2027 – Mar 21, 2027

A 3-Day Retreat: Compassionate Bodywork for Death, Dying & Grief: Nelson County, VA

Hold your spot with $100 deposit

Be a part of the renewed movement to help others make their final transition with ease, deep meaning and less fear.

  • Virginia
  • Friday at 9am to Sunday at 3pm
  • 16 NCBTMB CE hours
  • Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT
  • All-inclusive begins at $795* early registration price before 2/2

A renewed movement

This three-day retreat provides an opportunity to explore the themes of grief and death while learning practical, hands-on healing techniques designed to support individuals nearing the end of life. Whether you are called to become a Death Doula or simply want to feel more confident supporting loved ones through life’s final transition, this retreat offers both practical skills and deep personal exploration. With a growing movement focused on embracing natural death, this course emphasizes helping people transition peacefully, with greater meaning and reduced fear. We will examine our personal emotional responses, beliefs, and approaches when working with those who are dying, while also enhancing our self-care practices and establishing healthy boundaries. The course is interactive, featuring a mix of small and large group discussions, sacred music, case studies, experiential exercises, skill-building, and hands-on practice. Time will be devoted to creating a safe, nurturing environment for exploring this sensitive and profound process.

Instructor, Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT (pictured right)
Tracey Moon, LMBT will be assisting during this retreat

brooksie on fence
woman practicing somatic movement in her health studio, awareness through movement, embodiment and feldenkrais method

What you’ll experience

• Cultivate the presence and mindful communication skills that help create a safe, compassionate space.
• Deepen your understanding of the dying process, grief, and the unique roles of those who offer care and support at the end of life.
• Explore what compassionate bodywork means while gently examining your own beliefs, experiences, and emotional responses to death and dying.
• Learn how to build trust and create a nurturing container
• Discover nourishing self-care practices that allow you to remain grounded.
• Gain practical guidance for offering hands-on care in treatment rooms, homes, hospice, and clinical settings with confidence, sensitivity, and respect.
• Practice supportive positioning, gentle touch, and energy holds that bring comfort, ease, and dignity.
• Become familiar with the equipment, supplies, treatment room set-up, and complementary tools, including essential oil, that can enhance comfort and care.
• Learn body mechanics, draping, bolstering, and positioning techniques that support both your client’s comfort and your own well-being.
• Integrate everything through hands-on practice, case discussions, and guided experiences as you develop compassionate treatment approaches that honor each person’s unique journey.


About Sanctuary Retreat Center in Virginia

This three day residential Compassionate Bodywork for Death, Dying and Grief retreat is being held at Sanctuary Retreat Center in Nelson County, Virginia situated in the rolling foothills of the Shenandoah mountains.  It is a place of depth, wholeness and natural beauty – where you can truly restore.  You will feel cared for by the staff at Sanctuary through their kindness, attention to detail and presence. You will find an abundance of healthy food with tastes for every palate and dietary needs being accommodated. The Sanctuary Retreat Center has on-site wellbeing services available as well as walking trails and meditation spaces.

humpback rocks

All Inclusive Packages


• All-inclusive price begins at $795, depending on accommodations choice
• Meals begin on Friday at lunch and end on Sunday at lunch
• On-site Wellbeing services available (massage and bodywork, energy work, Thai massage, mental/emotional balancing)
• Woodland trails, comfortable accommodations and plenty of places for solitude
• Come in a night early starting at $100* including meals
• Spacious schedule to include periods of integration
• Massage Therapists receive 16 NCBTMB CE hours

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT is a licensed clinical counselor with over 25 years of experience. She earned her Master’s in Community Counseling and an undergraduate degree in Music Performance from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1996. After relocating to North Carolina, Brooksie obtained her diploma in massage and bodywork therapy from The Body Therapy Institute.

After becoming a Hospice Volunteer, Brooksie graduated from Doorway Into Light – International Death Doula Training in 2018. This training enabled her to support individuals, families, and communities during illness, diagnoses and beyond. Additionally, she is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, integrating movement and music into the grief process. She started the non-profit Heart2Heart in NorthCarolina, to support those navigating end of life, death and the path of grief and renewal.

Brooksie offers a variety of modalities, such as hands-on healing, energy work, body talk practices, gentle guidance, and music. These healing practices assist individuals, families, and communities through times of loss, grief, transition, and fear.  She believes that deep stillness, unconditional love, non-judgment, and kindness create a sacred space for healing. Her integrative intuitive style and up close experience with death brings a richness to her workshops that you will not want to miss.

Pricing* is listed below and includes three meals daily beginning with lunch on Friday and ending with lunch on Sunday. Single and double accommodations are available. All rooms have full bathrooms sharing with one other room. Note that our residential retreats usually fill early so please hold your spot with a deposit.

  • Double room, per person (two twins), $795
  • Single, small room (twin bed), $895
  • Single, large room (queen or two twin beds), $955

*early registration price before 2/2/27, afterwards price increases by $100

Yes. When you register please let us know that you are attending with someone and that you would like to share a room with them. If you are coming to the alone and would like shared accommodations, we will pair you with a same-gender roommate.

Yes, when you register you will be able to add additional night checking in on Thursday, March 18. Thursday dinner and Friday morning breakfast are included with the extra night. Cost* depends on your accommodations type and is listed below:

  • Double, per person $100
  • Small Single, $160
  • Large Single, per person $170

*early registration price

This course is designed for the massage therapist, hospice worker, death doula, mental health professional, nurse, physician, yoga teacher or anyone interested in supporting those at end of life. This is a highly experiential training with sessions to explore your own journey around death, dying and grief.

Yes. Compassionate Bodywork for Death, Dying and Grief is NCBMTB Approved and massage therapists receive 16 CE hours. You will receive a certificate of completion electronically to submit to your state licensing board or for recertification with the NCBTMB.

Yes, we have deliberately created the retreat schedule so that it allows ample time for to enjoy the woodland trails, schedule a wellness service or or rest. Before or after the retreat, you may wish to explore the nearby Shenandoah National Park or nearby Charlottesville, VA. Click here for a full menu of Wellbeing services at Sanctuary Retreat Center.

We need one massage table for every two people attending. You will receive automatic confirmation email after registering with a list of what to bring. If you didn’t receive it, please check your spam box, be in touch with us and add the email [email protected] to your contacts to ensure deliverability.

Sanctuary Retreat Center is located 30 miles outside of Charlottesville, VA and 3 hours southwest of Washington, DC. Address is: 2610 Adial Rd, Faber, VA.

The closest airport is Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO)

Reach out to Sharon at [email protected] or call 919-907-0579. We look forward to hearing from you!

You can also visit our Policies & FAQs page for more information.

Location

Sanctuary Retreat Center

Virginia

  • 2610 Adial Road, Faber, VA 22938
  • Website

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Sign Up Form

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Hold your spot with $100 deposit

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