Marion native helps with ‘Transitions’ through grief

MATTAPOISETT — Peter Converse wants people to talk about death. 

The Marion native has experience as a minister and chaplain in the Episcopal Church, in hospice care and in psychotherapy, all of which has led him to start his own business, “Transitions,” which helps people to prepare for death and families to deal with its aftermath. 

“It’s a difficult conversation to have because no one wants to think about dying, much less talk about it,” Converse said. “Doing so, however, can be a great relief, and make life much easier for the whole family both before and after a death.” 

Converse credits some of the business inspiration to watching families deal with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s. But it was really starting to prepare for his own death that inspired him to start Transitions. 

He started to put together a notebook 15 years ago, with financial, legal and funeral-related documents, as well as his preferences for end-of-life care.  In doing that, he realized that he could do the same thing for others. 

Converse said that the difficulty of talking about and planning for death doesn’t make it any less important. 

“It’s so important that we do talk about it because if we don’t, and if we don’t anticipate various scenarios, the death of a loved one can result in more than the emotional chaos of grief, but in financial chaos as well,” Converse said.  

Though many would find the topic offputting, Converse does not. 

“Death does not frighten me,” he said, “the part that does frighten me is getting sick, losing the ability to travel and do things, having someone else take care of me.” 

Converse has moved in and out Marion and now lives in Mattapoisett. This lets him draw on his knowledge of the area to provide referrals to medical specialists, home health aides and nursing assistants, and provides grief therapy for families after a death. 

Although he is still compiling his binder of instructions for clients, Converse said “everyone I have talked to has been very enthusiastic and encouraging.”  

For more information, Converse can be reached at 508- 748-0286, peterconverse.compass@gmail.com or at peterconverse.com