Death Cafe skull cookies! Albuquerque Death Cafes are being held online for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. The next online ABQ Death Cafe will take place on Zoom on Sunday, October 11 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. To get the link to participate, send a note to Gail [at] AGoodGoodbye.com and let her know you’d like to join in the conversation. There will also be a series of Death Cafes held during the Before I Die New Mexico Virtual Festival, held online October 30 to November 2, 2020. Those events will be held on Friday, October 30 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. MDT ..read more

Online Pandemic-Safe Events Taking Place at www.BeforeIDieNM.com Like many other in-person events impacted by the pandemic, the 4th annual Before I Die New Mexico Festival is going online as a virtual, safe experience. The four days of death-positive conversations and experiences will take place October 30 to November 2, 2020, at www.BeforeIDieNM.com. Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death® “Prior to the novel coronavirus, in-person death discussion movements and festivals were sprouting up across the globe. This pandemic has brought mortality issues to top-of-mind awareness, prompting people to ..read more

Online Pandemic-Safe Events Taking Place at www.BeforeIDieNM.com Like many other in-person events impacted by the pandemic, the 4th annual Before I Die New Mexico Festival is going online as a virtual, safe experience. The four days of death-positive conversations and experiences will take place October 30 to November 2, 2020, at www.BeforeIDieNM.com. “Prior to the novel coronavirus, in-person death discussion movements and festivals were sprouting up across the globe. This pandemic has brought mortality issues to top-of-mind awareness, prompting people to learn about death and plan for end-o ..read more

Some people say they would like to become a tree when they die. The Woodmen of the World used to give you a memorial marker that looked like a tree. Some of the most outstanding markers in Albuquerque’s Historic Fairview Cemetery are those of the Woodmen of the World fraternal insurance company. The markers look like tree trunks, or stacked logs. Many of the stones are carved to feature bark, plant leaves, ferns, and flowers, as well as saws and hatchets. The Latin phrase “Dum Tacet Clamat” is frequently seen on Woodmen of the World memorial markers. This translates to English as, “Though sil ..read more

A loss by suicide is like no other and survivors are especially vulnerable in grief because they often feel they are to blame for not having seen the often-subtle signs. Friends and family members feel helpless and don’t know how to respond or what to do. Anne Moss Rogers, Emotionally Naked® speaker and author Recently, I spoke with Anne Moss Rogers about suicide. Rogers is a TEDx speaker, storyteller, writer, and certified suicide prevention trainer who helps people foster connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. Among the topics we discussed: What is ..read more

Gary Newman, CLU Gary Newman is 88 years old. He’s had a long career in financial and estate planning and insurance, with credentials like Certified Life Underwriter®. He’s taught Osher Institute classes on end-of-life planning. He’s written newspaper columns on planning ahead. So why, in 2020, did he decide to undo his funeral plans, put in place years ago? Here’s Gary’s story, in his own words: Now, at 88, un-prearrange and un-prepay my funeral? — Huh???!!! Why???!!! Despite Certified Thanatologist Gail Rubin’s quip, “Despite great advances in medical care, humans do still have a 100% mortal ..read more

Online Pandemic-Safe Events Taking Place at www.BeforeIDieNM.com Like many other in-person events impacted by the pandemic, the 4th annual Before I Die New Mexico Festival is going online as a virtual, safe experience. The four days of death-positive conversations and experiences will take place October 30 to November 2, 2020, at www.BeforeIDieNM.com. Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death® “Prior to the novel coronavirus, in-person death discussion movements and festivals were sprouting up across the globe. This pandemic has brought mortality issues to top-of-mind awareness, prompting people to ..read more

What: Volunteers to Clean Up Historic Fairview Cemetery Historic Fairview Cemetery, established in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1881, is run by a local nonprofit organization. On Labor Day Monday, September 7, starting at 8:30 a.m., volunteers will help clean up a section of the cemetery by weeding, harvesting tumbleweeds and picking up trash. Gardening/weeding is great exercise, with built-in social distancing! Wear sunscreen, a hat, long sleeves and sturdy shoes. Bring work gloves and tools such as a weed whacker, hoe, and garden clippers if you have them. Water and snacks will be provided. Y ..read more

Albuquerque Death Cafes are being held online for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Lola, the ABQ Death Cafe mascot, wears “The one who dies with the most toys… still dies.” t-shirt. The next online ABQ Death Cafe will take place on Zoom on Sunday, September 13 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. To get the link to participate, send a note to Gail [at] AGoodGoodbye.com and let her know you’d like to join in the conversation. About Death Cafes The objective of the Death Cafe is “To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite ..read more

What do funeral directors and cemetery operators do all day? How do they help grieving people? Find out in this illuminating conversation with Gail Rubin and Heather Leigh. This was part of the Reimagine: Life, Loss, & Love Virtual Festival. Heather Leigh, General Manager of Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, is also a Certified Funeral Celebrant and Grief Recovery Specialist. She walks with families through the death of a loved one and creates unique, personalized memorial services. In this conversation with Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist and pioneering death educator, they discuss topics ..read more