Plan Your Before I Die New Mexico Festival Experience Today
Disappointed that the popular Marigold Parade in Albuquerque's South Valley was cancelled this year? You and your dearly departed can indulge in reverent revelry at the Dia de los Muertos celebration at Fairview Memorial Park on Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 700 Yale Blvd. SE in Albuquerque.
The free family-friendly celebration includes a traditional procession to welcome deceased loved ones, mariachi music, a procession of vintage cars and lowriders, traditional Mexican fare, face painting, an offrenda/altar, flowers, healers, artists, and a host of Dia de los Muertos activities. For more information about participating, call 505-933-4140.
Before I Die New Mexico Festival
This event starts the third annual Before I Die New Mexico Festival, seven days of death positive experiences to discuss mortality and encourage planning ahead for end-of-life issues. The festival will take place November 3 to 10, 2019, with events in Albuquerque (11/3, 7, 8, 9 and 10), Santa Fe (11/6), Taos (11/4) and Espanola (11/5).
Most Before I Die New Mexico Festival events are free. Learn more about all activities and register online for events at www.BeforeIDieNM.com.
In addition to the November 3 Dia de los Muertos event, Festival elements include:
- Death Café conversations and behind-the-scenes tours of funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries;
- The lively panel discussion, "Millennial Morticians with ABQ Brews";
- A Mortuary Mall with funeral and cremation products and "Before I Die" wall;
- Speakers, panel discussions and workshops on estate planning issues, advance healthcare directives, life after death, death doulas, pet loss, and other topics;
- A panel discussion of green burial and eco-friendly funeral options.
"With Fairview Memorial Park hosting this Dia de los Muertos celebration, Albuquerque residents can continue the traditions fostered by the Marigold Parade," said festival coordinator and pioneering death educator Gail Rubin, CT. "While nothing can replace the Marigold Parade experience, this is an exciting way to start the third annual Before I Die New Mexico Festival."
Before I Die festivals are part of a growing social movement that fosters reflection about how we as individuals and as a society manage death and dying. The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) recognized the 2018 New Mexico Festival with their KIP Award for Best Event.
Festival Sponsors
The Before I Die New Mexico Festival is made possible by:
Partners include the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of New Mexico, The Guild Cinema, Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, Beloved obituary and eulogy writing service, Compassion & Choices NM Action Team, TheBucket.com, and LifeIZShort.com.
Part of the sponsorship proceeds from Before I Die NM are donated to charitable partner Fathers Building Futures (FBF www.FathersBuildingFutures.org). FBF creates "caskets for a cause," providing on-the-job training for previously incarcerated fathers. A portion of sponsorship fees may be tax-deductible as charitable donations.
Festival sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling Gail Rubin at 505-265-7215.
Gail Rubin, CT, is author and host of the award-winning book and television series, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die, Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, and KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.
Rubin is a Certified Thanatologist (that's a death educator) and a popular speaker who uses humor and films to get the end-of-life and funeral planning conversation started. She "knocked 'em dead" with her TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye. She provides continuing education credit classes for attorneys, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice workers, financial planners, funeral directors and other professionals. She's a Certified Funeral Celebrant and funeral planning consultant who has been interviewed in national and local print, broadcast and online media.
Known as The Doyenne of Death®, she is the event coordinator of the Before I Die NM Festival. She also hosts A Good Goodbye Internet radio show and produces Mortality Minute radio and online video spots. Her YouTube Channel features more than 450 videos!
Rubin is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association New Mexico Chapter. Her speaking profile is available at eSpeakers.com.
Gail Rubin has been interviewed about funeral planning issues in national and local broadcast, print and online media. Outlets include The Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, CBS Radio News, WGN-TV, and local affiliates for NPR, PBS, FOX, ABC-TV, CBS-TV and NBC-TV. Albuquerque Business First named her as one of their 2019 Women of Influence.
Sign up for a free planning form and occasional informative newsletter at her website, AGoodGoodbye.com.