Pondering the Pandemic

In this “Books to Die For” interview, Teresa Schreiber Werth talks about the book, “Navigating the Pandemic: Stories of Hope and Resilience.” A certified funeral celebrant, Werth brought together the writings of 38 individuals in this book. They reflect on the many losses brought on by the pandemic, but also share uplifting thoughts for humanity.

This collection of poetry, stories and honest feelings focuses on the transformational time during the first nine months of the COVID pandemic. The book is available to order from your local bookstore, or use this affiliate link to Amazon to order the book. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, a U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to improving the healthcare of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as addressing equity in healthcare. Learn more at www.DandelionBook.com.

Pandemic Silver Lining Thoughts

Wirth reflected, “Someone recently asked me if I thought there was “a silver lining” to the pandemic. I think it is the same “silver lining” I realized from my stage 3 triple negative cancer diagnosis almost 13 years ago….mortality awareness. That situation in my life, and the pandemic for all of us, has brought our mortality into sharp relief with living as if our life will go on forever. We waste the opportunities to be more present, to savor moments and people, to live out our humanity in more compassionate ways, to appreciate the ordinary things. That is the “micro” silver lining.”

“The macro silver lining is the many ways the pandemic can be transformative — we have limitless opportunities to do things in new, different, better ways, to make the world a kinder, safer, more inclusive planet if we choose to do so. That transformation is not a “pie in the sky” goal. Every one of us has opportunities to do that every single day as we interact with people, make choices about the food we eat, the way we care for the earth, and each other.”

“One of the reasons I was insistent that we have the real time COVID-tracker on our website is because it is too easy to forget that this pandemic is raging all over the world. If you want to see what’s happening in other countries or states, you can see the data in real time and reflect on what others are going through because of their living conditions, lack of vaccines, poor healthcare.”

“Most of us are rookies at handling this kind of trauma. But, some groups (people of color, Asians, the incarcerated, the homeless, Indigenous people) have been facing these kinds of struggles forever and may be better equipped (ancestrally) to handle the brutal disparities the pandemic has revealed. I just know it would be tragic if we don’t learn some serious lessons and make some dramatic changes going forward.”

Funeral Industry Impacts

“The funeral industry has been turned on its head in all of this. The businesses that will survive and thrive will be those who, having made significant changes, will embrace those changes and grow their business. I think streaming and videotaped funerals are here to stay. I think that while cremation is more often chosen over traditional embalming and burial, even more earth-friendly options are taking off and will become more widely available options. I think in this country people have adjusted to less calling hours but have felt an even stronger need to gather in honor of a life lost, even if that gathering and celebration of a life has to be postponed for months. We must still live through our grief journey, but it may be a new and different route.”

About Gail Rubin, CT

Gail Rubin, CT, is a pioneering death educator. She works with companies to connect with baby boomers concerned about end-of-life issues. A featured speaker at TEDxABQ in 2015, she’s the author of three books on end-of-life issues, including A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die and KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die. In a previous lifetime, she was a public relations professional and an event planner.

Gail Rubin was recognized with the 2019 Women of Influence award by Albuquerque Business First. Find out why.

As a professional speaker, Gail uses humor, videos and outside-the-box activities to help people plan ahead for end-of-life issues. She also consults with businesses and individuals that want to host their own Before I Die Festivals. Check out and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

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