Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The coronavirus has upended life in America, including Death Cafes and speeches Gail Rubin was planning to present.
Since Wednesday, cancellations have quashed the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival in Nederland, Colorado; the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) convention and expo in San Antonio, Texas; the Association for Death Education and Counseling conference in Columbus, Ohio; and a series of Before I Die – Houston events.
Before I Die – Houston Events Postponed
The Before I Die – Houston Weekend Events scheduled for March 27-29, 2020 are being postponed in light of Houston’s declared Health Emergency and CDC Guidelines. The events with pioneering death educator Gail Rubin were to be held at Houston’s Congregation Emanu El, Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism and at the National Museum of Funeral History.
Syd Waldman, Waldman Funeral Care“We recognize our responsibility to help keep our audience and members of the Jewish and non-Jewish communities safe,” said funeral director Syd Waldman, who sponsored the Before I Die – Houston events.
“We recommend you follow the CDC and Texas Health officials’ guidelines to keeping you and your family safe through social distancing, staying at home as much as possible and washing your hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap often.”
“Even though talking about death won’t kill you, the coronavirus is no laughing matter,” said Rubin. “Stay safe, Houston!”
Refunds for the dinner at Congregation Emanu El will be sent to those who already made reservations. Announcements will be made when these events are rescheduled. Visit www.WaldmanFuneralCare.com for more information.
Albuquerque Death Cafe Cancelled
The objective of the Death Cafe is “To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” It’s all about an interesting, unstructured conversation – open and free-flowing with no specific agenda.
While the current situation with Covid-19 provides plenty of thought-provoking topics for discussion, we will NOT BE MEETING UNTIL SOCIAL DISTANCING TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IS REDUCED.
When Albuquerque Death Cafe meetings resume, we will post an event at the ABQ Death Cafe Meet Up page. Join the Meet Up group to keep informed.
ADEC and ICCFA Conventions Cancelled
On Wednesday, March 11, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) cancelled their annual convention and expo in San Antonio, Texas. Gail Rubin was scheduled to present “How to Grow Your Sales with ‘Before I Die’ Festivals” at ICCFA, and report on new developments in the funeral and cemetery business. She is available to present on this topic at other funeral director association conventions later this summer.
Today, March 16, the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) announced the cancellation of their annual conference in Columbus, Ohio. Gail Rubin was to present “Witness to the El Paso Strong Weekend.” You can read about that experience here.
Despite these cancellations, Gail Rubin will continue to be a bridge between the general public and end-of-life businesses. Sign up for alerts from her YouTube channel to see new videos!
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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.