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GATHER: a grief-tending retreat

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November 13-15, 2026

Black Bear Lodge | South Lake Tahoe, CA

A grief-tending retreat for parents who have experienced stillbirth and infant loss; a place to be held + nourished

❋ Intentional Structure

We are curating a structure that centers nourishment, quiet, connection, and ritual.

❋ Heart-led Facilitation

Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, honor depth, and support relaxation.

❋ A Supportive Space

This retreat prioritizes comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up just as you are and receive.

Honor love + loss with ritual, nourishment, & community
Day One

arrival + grounding

As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, share stories, + be nourished.

Arrival

3:00 pm

Opening circle

4:30pm

Dinner

6:00pm

Day Two

nourishment + connection

Be deeply held, witnessed, + supported through somatic movement, ritual, guided reflection, massage, acupuncture, + soundbath. 

Coffee & Breakfast

8:00-9:00am

Morning Gathering

9:15-11:30am

Lunch

12-1pm

Massage, Acupuncture +Freetime

2:00pm

Dinner

6:30pm

Intimate Live Music by Robin Orr

(only for retreat guests)

7:30pm

Day Three

reflection + honoring

Our time together concludes with a communal grief ritual + closing circle 

Coffee & Breakfast

8:00-9:00am

Grief Ritual + Closing Circle

9:15-10:30am

Check Out + Departure

11:00am

Book Your Stay through Black Bear Lodge with promo code “GATHER”

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • This retreat is for anyone who has lost a child during stillbirth or in infancy. If you are looking for healing or a safe space to grieve, this is for you. We built this retreat to help you not feel alone. Maybe your loss is recent, maybe your loss is less recent but you haven’t had the space to process before - grief tending has no timeline, you are welcome here.

    You are welcome to attend with a partner or solo, whichever feels best for you.

    No children allowed at this retreat.

  • The retreat will be structured around nourishing meals, grief-tending rituals, guided reflection, nature immersion, + restorative somatic care like acupuncture, soundbath, + massage.

  • Katelyn Morris is an multimedia artist, teacher, non-clinical depth psychologist who explores the many facets of our human experience through color, form, sound, movement, ritual, and education. Her work centers connection to nature as a pathway to healing and inner wholeness. You can learn more about her work here: www.earthsoul.life

  • Black Bear Lodge has several different room types available. We recommend browsing the different room types and choosing whichever one feels best to you.
    As a starting point, the Lodge Rooms are the smallest room types and the cabins are standalone structures, offering the most space. If a bathtub sounds especially nice, checkout the Ponderosa Suite, Aspen Suite, and Alpine Suite.

  • To maintain an intimate setting, the retreat will be limited to 10-16 participants.

  • Yes, the property sits on two acres and has 32 rooms in total. The retreat will be held in private areas and there will be other guests staying that are not attending the retreat.

  • All food is included (5 meals). It will be organic, intentionally curated by chef Eli, and locally sourced when possible.

    Breakfast and lunch will be buffet style with the option to take back to your room and dinner will be communal.

    All dietary requirements will be accommodated.

    No alcohol will be served during meals or activities, although alcohol is available for purchase on property.

  • 25% of the retreat is due at time of booking and the remaining balance is due by September 13. Payments are nonrefundable after September 13. If you would like to set up a payment plan, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate.

    If cost is prohibitive or you have any other questions or concerns please reach out to Rachel@tahoeblackbear.com or Katelyn@earthsoul.life

Your Team

Rachel

On June 5, 2018 my daughter Aspen was born. I went to the hospital in the middle of the night because my contractions were consistent and increasing. I was 37 weeks pregnant, I thought I was in labor. Then the nurse couldn’t find a heartbeat. “That happens sometimes with this machine,” she said. They brought in another machine, then they called in my OB. With tears in her eyes, she told my husband and I that our daughter was no longer with us.

The last 8 years have been a journey through grief that I never could have imagined. When my loss was fresh, connecting with moms who had a similar experience made me feel seen. It was like a little soft cushion in a field of unimaginable pain. I built this retreat with Katelyn to create a space for connection and healing.

Owner of Black Bear Lodge

Katelyn

Katelyn Morris is an multimedia artist, teacher, non-clinical depth psychologist who explores the many facets of our human experience through color, form, sound, movement, ritual, and education. Her work centers connection to nature as a pathway to healing and inner wholeness.

Through a decades-long journey with chronic illness Katelyn came into the practice of grief-tending as a way to be in relationship with the ever-changing flow of life, and to honor the innumerable losses we experience in a soulful and connected way. We exist in a time that largely lacks meaningful grief practices, so this retreat revisions the way we approach grief collectively, allowing space for rest, honoring, and communal healing.

Retreat Facilitator
Chef

Eli

Eli tends to his lifelong love of culture through cooking. His travels abroad and mixed heritage have fostered a love for reunion via culinary exploration. He believes that gathering and co-creating meaningful experiences through food is one of the most important parts of life.