About Petals To The Sea
Petals to the Sea is a space for meaning-making at the end. I offer holistic, non-medical support that honors your values, complements your care, and helps you meet death with presence, clarity, and peace.
The name came from the ocean — from a circle of friends floating in saltwater, hands full of flowers, hearts cracked wide open.
From a paddle-out for someone we loved — a surfer’s ritual where we gather in the ocean, release flowers into the waves, s c r e a m and say goodbye. That moment, soaked in saltwater and petals, showed me what death could be: not clinical, not quiet or taboo — but communal, sacred, and deeply human.
I believe death deserves beauty. Ritual. Truth.
And maybe even a dark joke or two.
Our mission is guiding peaceful transitions with compassion, dignity, and personalized care.
☼ Words by Barbie Herron Conkling ꕀꕀ Sacred storyteller ꕀꕀ gracious keeper of the light ꕀꕀ and mother to a ᜒ L y o n
This is Lyon’s Sacred Crossing ᕱ
Everything was exactly as it was meant to be 𑁍 There were 12 hands that tenderly bathed him after his passing, then anointed him in frankincense, lavender and sandalwood oil. Holy water washed his crown chakra and ocean water was gently rubbed on his face. There was a garden of earth surrounding his body as his vessel was so deeply honored. Images of Jesus and Mary sat beside him and we prayed, we shared stories and gave thanks for every minute we had with his enlightened spirit. We sat with him as his soul danced around us in pure joy. For 8 ½ hours we held him and listened to his chosen music. His journey here on earth was complete and that journey was deeply honored. The fear had been removed by ceremony. Something we handed over to the medical world a century ago. I invite you to take it back. There is nothing to be afraid of. ♡ Lyon’s Final Message to us all: 🕊 Find the Beauty in everything! ᕱ ꕀ
Families Share Their Journeys
Katy was a light in one of the darkest chapters of our lives. Her presence brought not only expert guidance, but a deep, soulful calm that held our family through the storm. She met us with grace, tenderness, and wisdom, transforming fear into peace and uncertainty into meaning. I can’t imagine walking that path without her. If you are facing the end-of-life journey, I wholeheartedly recommend Katy — she is a rare and beautiful guide.
Mona R.
Petals To The Sea, Katy, led us through a paddle out that became so much more than a ceremony — it was a turning point in our grief. With her guidance, we gathered under the sun, our little one clutching a flower, learning that goodbye could be beautiful. Katy brought intention, gentleness, and meaning to every moment, helping us honor a life with love, ritual, and grace. The image of our child releasing petals into the waves will stay with us forever. Katy created space for all generations to feel, to remember, and to begin healing.
- Michael J
From our first conversation, Katy brought a calm, grounding presence that made the unimaginable feel somehow possible. As an experienced registered nurse, she offered not just emotional support, but a deep well of clinical knowledge that gave us so much peace of mind. She answered every “what if” swirling in our heads with clarity and compassion — never once rushing or judging. The paddle out ceremony she led was raw, beautiful, and unforgettable. Katy gave us the gift of meaning in the midst of sorrow. Her work is not just support — it’s soul work, backed by skill, heart, and hard-won wisdom.
- Jessa H.