Death Has No Age

The Story That Sparked The HeartWay

Many people think of end-of-life care and immediately envision an older adult, perhaps holding the hand of a loved one or caregiver. But the truth is, death does not discriminate. It is a universal experience - one that touches people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. 

What many do not know is that the very foundation of The HeartWay was inspired not by an older adult, but by a child. A bright, brave, and deeply creative 11-year-old girl named Elli.

Elli's end-of-life journey was unlike anything we had encountered. Her wisdom, courage, and openness in the face of death moved everyone around her. She had questions, she had fears - but she also had imagination, love, and a soul that seemed far older than her years. It was through her story that The HeartWay's founder, Dr. Andrea Deerheart, began to create The HeartWay. 

Elli's passing became the heartbeat of The HeartWay. Her legacy lives on through Dr. Deerheart's deeply moving book, Elli's Ride: Death Beyond imagination. 

Elli reminded us that end-of-life Is not just a medical moment. It is deeply human, spiritual experience. And at The HeartWay, we honor the truth by providing holistic, compassionate care not just to older adults, but to children, young adults, and grieving families - no matter their age, background, or means. 

Her story continues to inspire everything we do. 

Supporting Children and Young Adults Through Life's Hardest Moments

We recognize that children and young adults face unique emotional and developmental challenges when confronted with serious illness or the death of someone they love. Whether they are the ones nearing end-of-life or navigating the overwhelming experience of grief, we are here to walk beside them with understanding, care and guidance. 

For Young Individuals Receiving Care

When a young child or young adult is facing end-of-life, we provide age-appropriate support rooted in dignity, presence, and deep compassion. We work closely with families to create a safe, loving environment where young people can express themselves, ask questions, and feel seen - not just as patients, but as whole human beings with fears, hopes, and stories. Whether it's through therapeutic conversations, memory-making activities, our Healing Grief Thru HeART program, or simply being present in silence, The HeartWay helps young people know they are not alone. We honor their voice, their grief, and their capacity for healing - even in the face of immense loss.  

For Those Grieving a Loss

The death of a parent, sibling, friend, or mentor can shape a young person's life in profound ways. Through one-on-one support, peer connection, and creative expression, we help grieving youth process their emotions in a healthy, nurturing space. We offer guidance to caregivers as well, equipping them with tools to support their children through mourning and teach them to not be fearful of death. 

Empowering Resilience and Connection

Whether it is through therapeutic conversations, memory-making activities, our Healing Grief Thru HeART Program, or simply being present in silence, The HeartWay helps young people know they are not alone. We honor their voice, their grief, and their capacity for healing - even in the face of immense loss. 

Healing Grief thru HeART

Grieving and Celebrating the Lives of Loved Ones Through the Expressive Arts.

Expressive Arts Therapy has been used throughout history to explore, express and facilitate healing, resilience, and personal growth. Healing Grief Through HeART uses a variety of tools and art media to observe, validate, and help one process the physical, emotional, and complex feelings inherent with the passing of a loved one. Engaging with the creative process is known to support empathy, building coping skills, safe self-expression, acceptance, and confidence. 

No previous art experience is necessary. 

Banners & Flags

We Remember Project

We seek to ignite a global initiative to remember and mourn the loss of our loved ones through personal art and community participation. We invite you to answer the call and join us in making a banner or flag as a living testament to express your loss and the relationship you shared. 

Banners and flags have been used throughout history, across cultures and traditions, to symbolically honor the death of a loved one, to express compassion, and to enhance healing through individual and collective participation. Our intention is that through mutual cooperation, participation, and HeART centered creativity, we will inspire a cultural shift to emerge around community-centered approach to grief and loss. 

If you would like to host a Healing Grief Thru HeART or Banners & Flags Program, in your community, please email us at: [email protected]