The first Before I Die festivals in the United States took place in 2016, in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the spring and in Louisville, Kentucky, in the fall. Louisville will be doing a second festival October – November 2017. The first one in the western United States will take place in Albuquerque October 20-25, 2017.

Kel McBride, coordinator of Before I Die Louisville, is working to engage younger people in the discussion. "It's tricky to engage those who don't think they're going to die. You need to get them in the right context, one that's fun. You need to meet people where they are."

The first Before I Die Louisville Festival had 17 events over a month, and more than 700 people participated. Activities included a historic cemetery tour, a poetry night, a Death By Chocolate event, and a conference that featured renowned death educator Stephen Jenkinson. Their second festival, October 7-22, 2017, adds a "Drink to Your Death" discussion in a pub, a theater production of "Tuesdays With Morrie," music and discussion with musicians who play for the dying, and a daylong symposium on November 4.

In Indianapolis, 800 people attended 28 activities over three days. That festival was sponsored by the University of Indiana School of Nursing with a grant.

The Before I Die ABQ Festival will take place over six days all around Albuquerque, with most events low-cost or free. They include a tour of the Office of the Medical Investigator (the real-life CSI in New Mexico); "Prelude to Eternity," a party in a cemetery; an art show titled "Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: A Celebration of Cremation and Art;" a movie double feature of Harold and Maudeand The Seventh Seal; a ghost tour with paranormal investigators taking visitors to haunted buildings downtown; a yoga class, "From Child Pose to Corpse Pose;" and a series of panel discussions and Death Cafes at numerous locations around town.

Before I Die ABQ Festival sponsors include:

• A Good Goodbye, LLC, funeral planning for those who don't plan to die;

• French Funerals & Cremations, Albuquerque's largest and oldest family-owned funeral service company;

• The Neptune Society, America's most trusted cremation service;

• Lasting Legacy, Inc., providing Estate and Trust services to New Mexico families;

• Express Legal Solutions, LLC, providing "documents you need at a price you can afford;"

• Retirement Extender®, a team of specialists "making the most of your finances;"

• Morris Hall, PLLC, a premier estate planning law firm;

• LifeIZShort.com, publishers of practical guides for dealing with the inevitable by Peter Callan;

• The Old Pine Box, specializing in pine and cedar coffins and caskets, and specialty urns;

• My Final Checklist, a master file for personal information; and

• Zia Trust, Inc, serving clients in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and 38 other states.

The festival is timed to take place after the celebrated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and before Halloween and Day of the Dead observations. Learn more and register for events at www.BeforeIDieABQ.com.

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