Gather : a grief tending retreat
A grief-tending retreat for parents who have experienced stillbirth & infant loss
November 13-15, 2026 | Starting at $1,565
Unlike traditional wellness retreats, Gather does not seek to "fix" grief. Instead, it embraces the philosophy that grief deserves space, community, and ritual. The experience is intentionally paced to allow participants to move gently through reflection, rest, and connection without expectation or pressure.
Limited to just 10–16 participants, Gather will foster meaningful connection back to yourself and your heavenly baby through nourishing meals, guided reflection, grief rituals, nature immersion, somatic healing practices, massage, acupuncture, sound bathing, and quiet time surrounded by the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe.
The retreat was created by Black Bear Lodge owner Rachel Carlson, whose daughter Aspen was stillborn in 2018, and Katelyn Morris, a multimedia artist, teacher, and non-clinical depth psychologist whose work centers grief tending, ritual, and healing through nature.
"Grief can feel incredibly isolating, especially after the initial support fades away. We created Gather to offer a place where people don't have to explain their pain—a place where they can simply be held, nourished, and reminded they are not alone." - Rachel
Honor love and loss with ritual, nourishment, & community.
Day OneArrival & Grounding
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, share stories, and be nourished.
Arrival3:00 pm
Opening Circle4:30 pm
Dinner6:00 pm
Day TwoNourishment & Connection
Be deeply held, witnessed, and supported through somatic movement, ritual, guided reflection, massage, acupuncture and soundbath.
Coffee & Breakfast8:00 – 9:00 am
Morning Gathering9:15 - 11:30 am
Lunch12:00 - 1:00 pm
Massage, Acupuncture & Freetime2:00 pm
Dinner6:30 pm
Intimate Live Music7:30 pm
Day ThreeRefelection & Honoring
Our time together concludes with a communal grief ritual and closing circle.
Coffee & Breakfast8:00 – 9:00 am
Grief Ritual & Closing Circle9:15 - 10:30 am
Check-out & Departure11:00 am
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.
Please note children are not 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, and 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
-
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 (five 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 wine and beer are 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 are 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
-
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.
Your Team
Rachel
I gave birth to my first daughter on June 5, 2018 and came home from the hospital without her. The days and weeks I followed I experienced unimaginable grief. How was I supposed to wake up everyday for the rest of my life without her?
Our culture is not very comfortable with grief. Grief is messy, it can sneak up on you, and sometimes it's easier to compartmentalize it. While you're in a space that feel like limbo, the rest of the world is spinning as usual.
When my daughter Aspen was born I knew right away that Black Bear Lodge should be a location for a grief retreat. A safe place to gather and connect with people who have had similar experiences. Not to fix grief but to hold space for it.
Lodge Owner
Katelyn
Katelyn 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 Faciliator
ChefMary
Mary Morrison, also known as Chef Mary, has been cooking for retreats, communities, and postpartum mamas for the last nine years. On a mission to restore relationships between humans, land and food, Mary's devotion lies in remembering the ways of our ancestors, and bringing the sacredness back into the sourcing, preparing, and sharing of nourishment.