News and Notes: Caring for Caregivers

Aug 26, 2015 | 0 comments

Old RadioIf you’ve ever been a caregiver, or know someone who is, tune in online to the Blogtalk Radio show, The Caregiver’s Caregiver. Host Dave Nassaney interviews Gail Rubin on this hour-long program dedicated to helping caregivers avoid burnout and survive grief. The discussion includes anticipatory grief, new trends in death care, and why having a funeral or memorial service is healing for caregivers.

Congratulations to Nathan Rhody with Rhody Family Funeral Home in Chesley, Ontario! His funeral home is the first to air Mortality Minute radio spots starting September 1. “When I heard about Mortality Minute, I thought this would be a brilliant and unique way to educate and attract people to our funeral home. We anticipate running them before or after the twice-daily death notice announcements that air on a local radio station,” he said. Learn more about Mortality Minute here.

It’s 18 days to TEDxABQ, our local version of TED talks – a full day of brilliant ideas, with food and gifts galore! I am so excited and ready to talk about my big idea regarding preparing for end-of-life issues. Won’t you join the 2,000 people who will fill Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico on September 12?

Selected recent posts at The Family Plot Blog and upcoming events follow. Feel free to call if I can be of assistance – 505.265.7215.

Live long and prosper,

Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death®

The Family Plot Blog Highlights

Click on the titles to read the blog post. Review all posts on The Family Plot Blog!

A Short History of Cremation in the U.S.  Did you know America’s first modern crematory was put into use on December 6, 1876? Amazing information from cremation historian Jason Ryan Engler.

Why You Need to Dictate What’s to Become of Your Ashes  A lesson from the life and death of humorist and author Dorothy Parker.

Aid in Dying in New Mexico Ruling Reversal  On Tuesday, August 11, a divided New Mexico Court of Appeals reversed a court ruling that allowed mentally competent, terminally ill patients to choose their own time to die with aid from a physician. What it means and what’s next.

Upcoming Events and a Humorous Quote

Saturday, September 12, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  TEDxABQ 2015 is a showcase of 20 of New Mexico’s biggest ideas in science, healthcare, policy, technology, learning, the arts, and the way we see the world. Gail Rubin will present her big idea to encourage pre-need funeral planning.

Tuesday, October 6, 10:30 a.m. to noon  “Jewish Funeral Traditions on Film” presentation at Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Road, Rockville, Maryland. Jewish traditions regarding death and dying, the funeral, the treatment of the body, burial, mourning, and annual remembrances are very different from Christian practices. This talk will include a section about Jews and cremation. For more information, call Program Director Shelly Gordon at 301-340-6818×227.

OASIS logoWednesday, October 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon  “Laughing in the Face of Death: Funny Films for Funeral Planning” presentation at OASIS at Macy’s Home Store in Westfield Montgomery Mall, 7125 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Maryland. This upbeat talk illustrates funeral planning issues with clips from comedy films and television programs. Learn what you need to know before someone dies to reduce stress, minimize family conflict, save money and create a “good goodbye.” For more information and class registration, call 301-469-4960.

October 18-21, 2015  The National Funeral Directors Association holds their annual convention in Indianapolis, IN. Gail Rubin will be there to cover new developments in the industry and talk to funeral directors and vendors.

“Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.” — George Bernard Shaw

A Good Goodbye