Cole Imperi
@imperi.bsky.social
Thanatologist, award-winning author, master gardener. LA by way of KY.
Have you ever wondered if you're meant to do grief or death work?
A session with a thanatologist can help you figure out if it might be your path—and if so, how to begin.
Clarity. Direction. No pressure. Just insight. coleimperi.com/consultations
A session with a thanatologist can help you figure out if it might be your path—and if so, how to begin.
Clarity. Direction. No pressure. Just insight. coleimperi.com/consultations
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Have you ever wondered if you're meant to do grief or death work?
A session with a thanatologist can help you figure out if it might be your path—and if so, how to begin.
Clarity. Direction. No pressure. Just insight. coleimperi.com/consultations
A session with a thanatologist can help you figure out if it might be your path—and if so, how to begin.
Clarity. Direction. No pressure. Just insight. coleimperi.com/consultations
Grief touches everything.
And we often don’t realize all the places it might want to take us.
Thanatological consultations exist for that in-between space: not therapy, not coaching, but something deep, steady, and real. coleimperi.com/consultations
And we often don’t realize all the places it might want to take us.
Thanatological consultations exist for that in-between space: not therapy, not coaching, but something deep, steady, and real. coleimperi.com/consultations
October 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Grief touches everything.
And we often don’t realize all the places it might want to take us.
Thanatological consultations exist for that in-between space: not therapy, not coaching, but something deep, steady, and real. coleimperi.com/consultations
And we often don’t realize all the places it might want to take us.
Thanatological consultations exist for that in-between space: not therapy, not coaching, but something deep, steady, and real. coleimperi.com/consultations
When MoMA wanted to explore grief through art, they brought me in. I helped interpret sculpture for adults + children, contributed to their online course, and offered nuanced context. A grief-informed lens works in museums—and in your work, too. coleimperi.com/consultations
September 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
When MoMA wanted to explore grief through art, they brought me in. I helped interpret sculpture for adults + children, contributed to their online course, and offered nuanced context. A grief-informed lens works in museums—and in your work, too. coleimperi.com/consultations
Are you a coach, therapist, educator, or funeral professional exploring how to integrate grief or loss into your work?
Thanatological consulting can help clarify your path.
Sometimes, the best next step is a conversation with someone who’s already walked it. coleimperi.com/consultations
Thanatological consulting can help clarify your path.
Sometimes, the best next step is a conversation with someone who’s already walked it. coleimperi.com/consultations
August 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Are you a coach, therapist, educator, or funeral professional exploring how to integrate grief or loss into your work?
Thanatological consulting can help clarify your path.
Sometimes, the best next step is a conversation with someone who’s already walked it. coleimperi.com/consultations
Thanatological consulting can help clarify your path.
Sometimes, the best next step is a conversation with someone who’s already walked it. coleimperi.com/consultations
If your life is public, it can be even harder to grieve privately.
My consultations create space for those navigating loss behind the scenes—while leading, performing, creating, advocating, or caregiving.
You don’t have to carry it alone. coleimperi.com/consultations
My consultations create space for those navigating loss behind the scenes—while leading, performing, creating, advocating, or caregiving.
You don’t have to carry it alone. coleimperi.com/consultations
July 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
If your life is public, it can be even harder to grieve privately.
My consultations create space for those navigating loss behind the scenes—while leading, performing, creating, advocating, or caregiving.
You don’t have to carry it alone. coleimperi.com/consultations
My consultations create space for those navigating loss behind the scenes—while leading, performing, creating, advocating, or caregiving.
You don’t have to carry it alone. coleimperi.com/consultations
What’s a way you can create art that honors grief without being cliché? Ask a thanatologist.
I work with writers, filmmakers, composers, and visual artists to help them embody grief via their medium of choice. Want to deepen your work? coleimperi.com/consultations
I work with writers, filmmakers, composers, and visual artists to help them embody grief via their medium of choice. Want to deepen your work? coleimperi.com/consultations
June 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
What’s a way you can create art that honors grief without being cliché? Ask a thanatologist.
I work with writers, filmmakers, composers, and visual artists to help them embody grief via their medium of choice. Want to deepen your work? coleimperi.com/consultations
I work with writers, filmmakers, composers, and visual artists to help them embody grief via their medium of choice. Want to deepen your work? coleimperi.com/consultations
New book rec! The newly published “Giving Up the Ghost” by Samantha Rose. It’s a subtle powerhouse of a memoir as the author reckons with her mother’s suicide choice. Added to the book database available for free on my website!
May 16, 2025 at 8:34 PM
New book rec! The newly published “Giving Up the Ghost” by Samantha Rose. It’s a subtle powerhouse of a memoir as the author reckons with her mother’s suicide choice. Added to the book database available for free on my website!
This isn’t therapy.
It’s not diagnosis. Or treatment.
What I offer is a different kind of conversation: rooted in research, informed by lived experience, & shaped by 15+ years of thanatological work.
For those navigating grief, change, or creative questions about loss: coleimperi.com/consultations
It’s not diagnosis. Or treatment.
What I offer is a different kind of conversation: rooted in research, informed by lived experience, & shaped by 15+ years of thanatological work.
For those navigating grief, change, or creative questions about loss: coleimperi.com/consultations
May 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This isn’t therapy.
It’s not diagnosis. Or treatment.
What I offer is a different kind of conversation: rooted in research, informed by lived experience, & shaped by 15+ years of thanatological work.
For those navigating grief, change, or creative questions about loss: coleimperi.com/consultations
It’s not diagnosis. Or treatment.
What I offer is a different kind of conversation: rooted in research, informed by lived experience, & shaped by 15+ years of thanatological work.
For those navigating grief, change, or creative questions about loss: coleimperi.com/consultations
Grievers are a vulnerable population. Here's a summary of my thoughts about the emerging Death Companion/Death Doula field, managing grief in the workplace, and an invitation to reflect on your own experiences as a griever: do you recall a time while grieving where you felt pushed into something?
May 2, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Grievers are a vulnerable population. Here's a summary of my thoughts about the emerging Death Companion/Death Doula field, managing grief in the workplace, and an invitation to reflect on your own experiences as a griever: do you recall a time while grieving where you felt pushed into something?
Our Saturday lectures run for 2 hours, are recorded for those who can't make it, and feature real-life experience paired with practical, science-based information. Reading materials, videos, and discussions take place behind-the-scenes, and alumni receive access to our private online community.
April 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Our Saturday lectures run for 2 hours, are recorded for those who can't make it, and feature real-life experience paired with practical, science-based information. Reading materials, videos, and discussions take place behind-the-scenes, and alumni receive access to our private online community.
I am in my 5th year teaching Death Companioning. (I don't prefer the term Death Doula, and we talk about what to call yourself as part of this course, too.) I wanted people to have the option to take a science-based training, combined with ethics, and real-life professional experience examples.
April 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I am in my 5th year teaching Death Companioning. (I don't prefer the term Death Doula, and we talk about what to call yourself as part of this course, too.) I wanted people to have the option to take a science-based training, combined with ethics, and real-life professional experience examples.
Graduates are often already other types of professionals: counselors, nurses, teachers, human resources professionals. Sometimes they are navigating personal circumstances which inspires them to become more informed. And sometimes, people enroll that just want to meaningfully create community.
April 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Graduates are often already other types of professionals: counselors, nurses, teachers, human resources professionals. Sometimes they are navigating personal circumstances which inspires them to become more informed. And sometimes, people enroll that just want to meaningfully create community.
Grievers are a vulnerable population. So too are the dead, and the dying. Whether you are looking to work professionally, or just personally, with these populations, it's important to include science-based education in your pursuit to reduce the chance of causing harm to others. #deathdoula
April 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Grievers are a vulnerable population. So too are the dead, and the dying. Whether you are looking to work professionally, or just personally, with these populations, it's important to include science-based education in your pursuit to reduce the chance of causing harm to others. #deathdoula
Enrollment is open for the next cohort of the Death Companioning Community Crash Course. In its 5th year, with graduates from 30+ countries, take a look at our science-based, compassionate program for people looking to work with death, dying, grief, or loss. #deathdoula
April 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Enrollment is open for the next cohort of the Death Companioning Community Crash Course. In its 5th year, with graduates from 30+ countries, take a look at our science-based, compassionate program for people looking to work with death, dying, grief, or loss. #deathdoula
A dishwasher is a non-clinical tool. It helps to reduce labor, which in turn offers an increase in bandwidth. …but only if you are using it in the way you need. The dishwasher is something I bring up with grievers—do you have one? Do you let yourself use it even if it isn’t full? Imperi.substack.com
April 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
A dishwasher is a non-clinical tool. It helps to reduce labor, which in turn offers an increase in bandwidth. …but only if you are using it in the way you need. The dishwasher is something I bring up with grievers—do you have one? Do you let yourself use it even if it isn’t full? Imperi.substack.com
10 years ago, this was published. It led to some wild adventures, and to friendships and relationships I still have today. It also led to some hard stuff. Working in and around death, dying, grief, and loss has been a natural part of my life, and today, I feel so happy that still rings true.
April 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
10 years ago, this was published. It led to some wild adventures, and to friendships and relationships I still have today. It also led to some hard stuff. Working in and around death, dying, grief, and loss has been a natural part of my life, and today, I feel so happy that still rings true.
Join me at the School of American Thanatology for our (fully updated) Death Companioning Community Crash Course. It's fully online with live lectures on Saturdays from 12-2pm ET. Optional assessment for a certificate. The program runs January 18, 2025 - March 22, 2025. AmericanThanatology.com
December 20, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Join me at the School of American Thanatology for our (fully updated) Death Companioning Community Crash Course. It's fully online with live lectures on Saturdays from 12-2pm ET. Optional assessment for a certificate. The program runs January 18, 2025 - March 22, 2025. AmericanThanatology.com
I am here to celebrate good news! “A Guide to Grief” has been named a Finalist in the CALIBA Golden Poppy Awards! This award is “given in recognition of the most distinguished books written and illustrated by creators who have made California their home. #goldenpoppy2024 #goldenpoppyawards
December 4, 2024 at 3:21 AM
I am here to celebrate good news! “A Guide to Grief” has been named a Finalist in the CALIBA Golden Poppy Awards! This award is “given in recognition of the most distinguished books written and illustrated by creators who have made California their home. #goldenpoppy2024 #goldenpoppyawards
Last night we played my grandma’s holiday records on my parent’s old record player, and tended a fire. No screens. This is a true festivity to me!
November 30, 2024 at 5:55 PM
Last night we played my grandma’s holiday records on my parent’s old record player, and tended a fire. No screens. This is a true festivity to me!
I took Daisy to get a carload of mulch today. She was very proud of herself for conquering a pile!
November 28, 2024 at 2:29 AM
I took Daisy to get a carload of mulch today. She was very proud of herself for conquering a pile!
And finally, know that WHAT questions can be more helpful than WHY questions.
November 14, 2024 at 4:04 AM
And finally, know that WHAT questions can be more helpful than WHY questions.
You can also make space for all kinds of feelings, because grief itself is not an emotion. Grief is a response to loss, and emotions (all of them) can be a part of grief.
November 14, 2024 at 4:03 AM
You can also make space for all kinds of feelings, because grief itself is not an emotion. Grief is a response to loss, and emotions (all of them) can be a part of grief.
The other thing you can do is *not* throw yourself into something, because that’s reacting. You need to take a pause.
November 14, 2024 at 4:02 AM
The other thing you can do is *not* throw yourself into something, because that’s reacting. You need to take a pause.
If you are experiencing grief, what can you do? This is where granny wisdom is helpful. Go sit around a table with people that will see you and support you. The rectangle in front of your face probably won’t be where you find meaningful healing right now.
November 14, 2024 at 4:01 AM
If you are experiencing grief, what can you do? This is where granny wisdom is helpful. Go sit around a table with people that will see you and support you. The rectangle in front of your face probably won’t be where you find meaningful healing right now.
And if it is your loss, and your grief, what did you lose? It wasn’t an election. The Shadowloss you are grieving is probably the loss of the future you saw.
November 14, 2024 at 3:59 AM
And if it is your loss, and your grief, what did you lose? It wasn’t an election. The Shadowloss you are grieving is probably the loss of the future you saw.