As families gather for holiday events and other occasions, they are encouraged to simply talk more. Share stories. Reminisce. Find out what matters most to the people who matter most to you. It’s the perfect time of the year to ask questions and talk about life.
That’s the idea behind Have the Talk of a Lifetime Month: “Time for Family, Time for Talk.” It’s a special month-long event sponsored by the Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC) with tools and events that families can use to share traditions, play games and make this the season to give the gift of time well spent and new memories made.
In addition to its Holiday Guide, FAMIC also announced a number of ways to celebrate Have the Talk of a Lifetime Month throughout November. Funeral professionals, storytellers and others will be holding Time for Family, Time for Talk events in communities throughout the United States.
Be intentional about having discussions with a loved one on World Kindness Day (November 13), National Storytelling Network’s TELLABRATION! Day (November 19), Thanksgiving (November 24), National Day of Listening (November 25), and National Day of Giving (November 29).
“Have the Talk of a Lifetime Month offers families even more ways to help them have conversations about the things that matter most and how they hope to be remembered.” said FAMIC president Kathleen Berry. “We’re sure every generation will find the activities in the Holiday Guide fun and rewarding.”
Berry notes that while FAMIC is pleased to provide so many ways for families to begin to talk, there is no “right” way to Have the Talk of a Lifetime. “Simply begin to tell your stories. The talks can be informal, and can take place over time in any situation – a cup of coffee, dinner, a trip to the grocery store. Make use of photos or family memorabilia, recipes and keepsakes as conversation starters. Make November your Time for Family, Time for Talk.”
Families are encouraged to share photos and memories throughout the month of November on social media using the hashtags #TalkOfALifetime #HaveTheTalk #TimeForFamily #TimeForTalk #WeTalked.
The Have the Talk of a Lifetime® campaign was developed to help educate the public about the importance of talking with their loved ones to ensure that memorialization is a fulfilling and rewarding experience when the time comes.
About the Funeral and Memorial Information Council
Since 1991, FAMIC has been committed to making available to the public direct and open information regarding deathcare and memorialization from the leading associations of service providers and businesses. FAMIC recently launched Have the Talk of a Lifetime, a consumer education outreach effort to urge families to talk with loved ones about life, the things that matter most and how they want to be remembered when they die.
FAMIC members include: Casket & Funeral Supply Association; Funeral Service Foundation; International Memorialization Supply Association; International Order of the Golden Rule; Life Insurers Council; Monument Builders of North America; National Concrete Burial Vault Association; National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association; National Funeral Directors Association; and Selected Independent Funeral Homes.