What called you to your line of work and where were you in life when you conceived of your business idea?

I was in college, majoring in Hospitality, Tourism, and Events, with a focus on Event Planning, when in the span of six weeks in 2014, both my grandmothers passed away. I felt helpless when witnessing the stress and sadness both my mom's side and my dad's side experienced from losing their mothers so closely together.

After my grandparents and many other losses among friends and family, I realized the great need for support after a death and my calling to help families during such challenging transitions. There are so many decisions to be made for the loved one of the person who has passed that the family, consumed with arrangements, often can't fully grieve. I recognized that I could serve other families by helping plan end-of-life and bereavement arrangements.

This journey led me to open my business, become a certified end-of-life doula, and I am also obtaining my Master's in Thanatology. My 12 years as an event planner gave me extensive experience in managing complex logistics and supporting people during significant life events.

What does success mean to you?

Success to me means being able to help many families plan their death arrangements in advance. By doing this, they can leave their families with little to no planning to do after their passing. This allows the families to properly mourn their loss and focus on celebrating their loved one's life. Instead of being stressed and overwhelmed, they can honor the deceased by cherishing their memories and reflecting on their positive impact on others. Success is providing the support and care that enables families to celebrate a life well-lived and honor their loved one's legacy with dignity and love.

What does the world need more of? Less of?

The world needs more compassion towards others, regardless of what has happened or hasn't happened. Everyone has a story, a pain, a struggle, and we often don’t know what others are going through in this crazy life. We can’t always be judgmental, even when we may not agree with others; we still need to show compassion and love. We are constantly bombarded with negativity on the news and social media. I wish we had more news highlighting all the good happening around us. If we saw more positive stories, perhaps the message and our outlook would change for the better.

Do you have any women in your life whom you admire or look up to?

I have to say, I didn’t realize the profound impact both my grandmothers left on me until they were gone. They were both wise and resilient. They lived in an era when women weren’t as supported in becoming entrepreneurs or pursuing their professional careers and goals as we are today. Yet, they succeeded in so many ways. They always had the best advice for any woman. Now, I see both of them in my parents, and their legacy continues, teaching me about love, family, and how to be a robust and successful woman. Their strength and wisdom inspire me daily to strive for excellence and uphold their values.

Has a mistake ever led you to success?

Oh, this is a great question. I'm sure everyone can relate to it. Mistakes have undoubtedly led me to a greater awareness, which leads to success. Each mistake offers a valuable lesson, teaching us how we want to be or don’t want to be in life.

I have judged people for things I didn't fully understand. Seeing friends and family struggle with various challenges, such as addiction, opinions, politics, and religion, has been eye-opening. It cannot be easy to separate our opinions from these situations, but ultimately, I learned that judgment is not what matters.

One significant "aha moment" came when I judged a friend I worked with who often claimed to be sick. I didn't believe him until I saw firsthand how ill he was. Tragically, he was later diagnosed with a rare disease that left him unable to walk. This profound experience taught me that people dealing with such issues, even if what they’re experiencing can’t be seen, need love and compassion, not judgment. Success comes in many forms; the best lessons often arise from our mistakes. These experiences have shaped my understanding and approach to life, making me more empathetic and supportive.

Christina Holohan, CMP, DES is a Celebration of Life Planner, Certified Elder Care Doula, Certified End-of-Life Doula, and the founder of Celebration of Life, Colorado, a memorial event planning company serving Colorado.

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