Workshops, Retreats & Speaking

Upcoming

Upcoming

Join me on Thursday, December 18, 2025 for a gentle, online ceremony to pause, reflect, and hold space for whatever you’re carrying: grief, transitions, or life’s quiet struggles. Together, we’ll create small personal altars, engage in guided reflection and journaling, experience music and poetry, and welcome moments of release and renewal as we move toward the Winter Solstice.

This is a free, inclusive gathering for anyone seeking a reflective pause in the season, a space to honour what is heavy, and an opportunity to open to small sparks of hope and light.

Tending the Dark, Welcoming the Light

Register & learn more here

The Heart of Being Human - free community conversations

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday, I host a free online community conversation called The Heart of Being Human — a space for honest dialogue and gentle reflection, where we explore what it means to live with intention, connection, and care.

Learn more
Karla Combres leading a living legacy retreat workshop in a circle of women

From time to time, I offer gatherings designed to help you reflect on your life, your values, and the people and places that have shaped you.

These gatherings are invitations to pause, reflect, and root yourself in what matters — nurturing depth, connection, and meaning — across the seasons of life.

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Participant Reflections

  • Beautifully rich and masterfully delivered! What you have to offer is vitally important and you are truly gifted at presenting it!

    Scott W.

  • It was so much more than what I had been anticipating. I managed to find actionable steps to make my life better. You made me believe it was do-able and gave me confidence to move forward.

    Zoé Mark

  • I loved the workshop and felt so nourished by it. It gave me some important nuggets for further exploration.

    Emily Sterling

  • Thank you for reigniting a flame that was going dim for me.

    Anonymous

  • This exceeded my expectations. The material and prompts, along with the online sessions provided inspiration, guidance, and a supportive environment.

    Lori Lofdahl

  • Just being with others who are open to this topic has been extremely comforting and inspiring for me.

    Anonymous

  • Such great reminders to live in the moment and live like it's your last day.

    Shirley D.

  • Karla is very skilled at what she does; she brings such respect, warmth, genuineness and sensitivity to the individuals concerned and throughout the process. She is truly gifted!

    Isabelle McCrea

  • So many thought-provoking ideas, words and concepts. This session showed me how to see the insights of life and death.

    Anonymous

  • Karla is a passionate human that has listened to her calling! Through guiding and supporting others to get clear on their beliefs and values, she helps bring our focus to relationships and life.

    Meg Freeman

As Seen In

Trusted By

  • You do spiritual work in a way that anyone and everyone can connect with.

    Shirley Dowie

Bring this work to your community

Whether it’s a keynote address, a custom workshop, or a facilitated retreat, I collaborate with organizations, foundations, and community groups to create meaningful experiences that invite reflection, connection, and renewal.

These gatherings meet people where they are and open the door to insight, belonging, and presence — nourishing the roots of a well-lived life.

A few of the themes I love to explore include:

  • Living Fully
    Embracing mortality as a guide to a present and meaningful life

  • From Paperwork to Purpose
    A thoughtful approach to end-of-life and legacy planning

  • Beyond Survival
    Reconnecting with what gives life depth, direction, and joy

  • The Light You Leave
    A guided legacy letter experience to reflect and affirm what truly matters

  • Writing Your Life
    Using story and memoir as tools for insight, healing, and clarity

  • Rituals for Real Life
    The power of ceremony to mark transitions — even for the secular and spiritually unaffiliated

  • Light Your Fire, Live Your Legacy
    Rekindling purpose and inner alignment

Each experience is designed to meet your group’s unique needs and create space for meaningful reflection and growth.

Interested in partnering?

Reach out to explore

Sponsor Reflections

  • I truly believe Karla has the voice to inspire! Now, more than ever, people need motivation and a reminder of the spark within them. Karla, the world needs to hear you! After your presentation, the audience was raving about how motivating it was!

    Dezeray, Stensrud Lodge-Jubilee Residences 

  • One of the ways that we were able to outreach to community in a unique way was the workshop that we did with you. We were looking at ways that we could connect with families that wasn't solely grief-related, but more life purpose-related... It's an opportunity to reach out to community and share the brand.

    Kessa Edwards, Vice President, Edwards Funeral Services Ltd.

  • Karla is invaluable as a guest speaker / workshop facilitator. She brings knowledge, experience and passion and elevates any discussion on legacy and meaning making. Participants have no choice but to be inspired to reflect upon and embark on a more meaningful life.

    Julie Keon, RSSW
    Ready or Not End-of-Life Services

  • [Karla's workshop] is a good complement with the idea that we're more than just deathcare providers. We're people who are helping people all through that journey.

    Morgan Edwards, President, Saskatoon Funeral Home

  • This workshop was different in that it was more one-on-one engaging. This one felt like it was really giving people something to go home with.

    Kessa Edwards, Vice President, Edwards Funeral Services Ltd.

  • We got to know you through the work you do as a celebrant. We know how professional and connected you are with the families that you serve. So taking all of that knowledge and moving it into a workshop you're facilitating — we had that trust component already.

    Morgan Edwards, President, Saskatoon Funeral Home

  • Our members have spoken highly of the series and have found the education highly valuable. I would recommend Karla's services, and will definitely keep her in mind for future education for NEDA.

    McKenna Reinhard, Board Member & Events & Education Committee Co-Chair, National End of Life Doula Alliance

  • I would recommend your support and workshops to professionals who are looking at adding other components to their service offering, knowing it will be done well and in an organized way that will enhance brand awareness.

    Morgan Edwards, President, Saskatoon Funeral Home

  • With Karla being in the industry, it goes a long way rather than just bringing someone completely from the outside that's more business-related. It's more like touching the soul and the heart.

    Kessa Edwards, Vice President, Edwards Funeral Services Ltd.

  • We were honored to have Karla speak at our Women's Whole Health Retreat for breast and ovarian cancer survivors. Her session on living with purpose and creating a meaningful legacy was both powerful and deeply moving. Through storytelling, guided reflection, and heartfelt conversation, Karla created a safe and inspiring space for participants to explore how to live intentionally—especially in the wake of a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis. Her presence left a lasting impression, and we’re incredibly grateful for the insight and compassion she brought to our retreat.

    Stephanie Gosselin, Director of Programs, Ovarian Cancer Canada

  • It's a really heartfelt, authentic workshop and the information that you're sharing is really about life.

    Kessa Edwards, Vice President, Edwards Funeral Services Ltd.

Book a call!