A Home for All who Hold Space for the Sacred Thresholds of Birth, Breath, and Death

The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death is an inspiring and nurturing organization/community dedicated to furthering the development and professional skill set of those called to hold space for birthing, living, and dying.

Founded in 2015 by Amy Wright Glenn, the Institute was created to bring together individuals caring for birth and death with those dedicated to mindful, embodied, and compassionate living. Institute membership draws from many vocations: birth/death midwives, birth/death/full spectrum doulas, artists, musicians, authors, hospital chaplains, hospice volunteers, spiritual directors, yoga instructors, teachers, clergy, rabbis, imams, psychologists, healers, and mental health professionals. Bereaved parents and those who are moving through significant life transitions are also active in the organization. All drawn to our study are warmly welcome.

Committed to gender, economic, and racial equity/inclusion, the Institute is a pioneering force providing in-person and online trainings/workshops for the heartfelt engagement and study of life’s transformative thresholds.

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Institute International Study Trip
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
June 2024

Come with us!


Institute Members & Friends gathered in October 2022
for the Fall Institute Retreat.

Institute interview/webinars are available for all to view.


Institute founder, Amy Wright Glenn ~ and her son Taber ~ invite you to join them in meditation.

May we all be safe and healthy as we safely navigate work, parenting, life in the age of Covid-19.
May we always continue to nourish our spiritual/mindfulness practices.


Today, wise and creative cultural pioneers lead a burgeoning movement in applying key elements of the birth doula model to train people to companion each other in death. Given that our experience of death has become so institutionalized and medicalized, applying the doula model of care to death and dying represents a sane and needed grounding in the wisdom of compassion, companioning and proven comfort measures.

~Amy Wright Glenn, writing for PhillyVoice

Institute founder Amy Wright Glenn teaching
at the International Death Doula Training in Maui, Hawaii ~ Spring 2019


 

Holding Space does just that for each of us. In a clear, intimate voice, Amy Wright Glenn shares her own experience and wisdom and by doing so makes a space for her reader to develop the same. For anyone going through loss, this book will feel like a treasure. ~ Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Love

I lost my son 10 years ago when he was 4 months old and Amy’s words felt like coming home. They affirmed everything that I have felt about life and death since in a world that doesn’t often make space for such grief and loss. It all resonated so deeply and helped me to see that I am ready to share this work with others and hold space for grief and loss. Thank you so much for the work that you are doing and for sharing your knowledge and experience. ~ Kirsty Pearson, birth doula, UK

This is a beautifully written book about the challenging practice of remaining present — holding non-reactive space — around emotions of grief, sorrow and loss. This practice is brought alive through many touching vignettes from the author’s life and work as a hospital chaplain and as a doula for the poignant transitions of birth and death. I recommend Holding Space highly, for hospice workers, religious and medical professionals, and for anyone facing personal loss. ~Jan Chozen Bays, author of Jizo Bodhisattva: Guardian of Children, Travelers & Other Voyagers

The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death is a registered LLC in North Carolina.