Wednesday, August 7, 2019
After the mass shooting in El Paso on Saturday, August 3, changes are being made to the Before I Die El Paso seminar on Saturday, August 17. The event, sponsored by Perches Funeral Homes and the El Paso Funeral Museum, will still take place from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 6111 South Desert Blvd. in El Paso, Texas.
“While I use humor to help break down people’s resistance to discussing death, it’s hard to laugh about death when this grim reality currently affects the entire community,” said Gail Rubin, CT, the featured speaker known as The Doyenne of Death®. “During the El Paso Before I Die seminar, we will recognize the serious hurt the mass shooting has inflicted. We will still have funny film clips within my talks, to illustrate important points about planning ahead for mortality issues. “
The August 17 event will have two Death Cafe sessions to provide an opportunity for people to discuss what’s on their minds about mortality issues, with no agenda. An additional presentation, “Lessons on Grief and Mourning in Cartoons,” has been added to the schedule.
Special Community Event on Friday, August 16
A community event will be held in the late afternoon of Friday, August 16 at La Paz Faith, a historic church that has become the largest indoor columbarium in El Paso. The one-hour event, designed to bring the community together and bring light in this dark time, will feature addresses by Salvadore Perches, CEO of Perches Funeral Homes, and Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist. More details to come soon.
Before I Die Seminar Schedule
All events take place at Perches West Side Funeral Home and Funeral Museum, 6111 South Desert Blvd., El Paso, TX 79932 (915) 581-0102
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mortuary Mall display of funeral and cremation products, with staff to answer questions, register attendees and conduct tours.
9:00 a.m. to 10:00a.m. Gail Rubin, a pioneer of the Death Café movement in the United States,facilitates Death Café conversations with attendees. This is an opportunity todiscuss what’s on your mind about mortality issues, with no agenda. Refreshmentswill be served.
10:00 a.m. to 11:00a.m. Panel on Hospice and Medical Aid in Dying with representatives from alocal hospice and Compassion and Choices.
11:00 a.m. to noon“Why It’s Good to Downsize and Clear Clutter – and How to Do It” presentationby Gail Rubin based on information in her book, Kicking The Bucket List.
Noon to 1:00 p.m.Lunch and Learn about estate planning issues with a local attorney.
1:00 p.m. to 2:00p.m. Gail Rubin presents “How Can Funeral Planning Be Funny?” a talk thatfeatures humorous film and TV show clips illustrating funeral planning issues.
2:00 p.m. to 3:00p.m. Gail Rubin presents “How to Discuss Medical Issues with Doctors andFamilies” with film clips to illustrate how doctors, patients and families canimprove medical care conversations.
3:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. “Everything You Want to Know About Death ** But Were Afraid to Ask” panel discussion with a funeral director, adeath doula, a hospice representative, and a funeral celebrant field questionsfrom the audience.
4:00 p.m. to 5:00p.m. Gail Rubin presents “Lessons on Grief and Mourning in Cartoons.” Clipsfrom two Pixar films illustrate the power of expressing sadness and relying oncommunity during times of loss.
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The day closes with another opportunity to engage in Death Café discussions. Refreshments will be served.
RSVP by August 12 for this free event here.
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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.