It’s finally here! The Before I Die New Mexico Festival starts tomorrow, October 30, and goes through Sunday, November 4, 2018. With a full schedule of upbeat events, conversations, and parties, the second annual BID Festival promises an exciting look into how people are thinking and talking about death and dying in these modern times.
Hosted by Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist, a pioneering death educator and host of the award-winning TV series “A Good Goodbye,” the Before I Die Festival is the place to be this week for people ready to openly talk about the end of life process. As Rubin often says, “Talking about sex won’t make you pregnant, and talking about funerals won’t make you dead.” Get started on the conversation now and include family and friends – death affects us all and there’s no better time than the present to share your final wishes and make plans in advance.
Read this story about Gail and the Festival in the Albuquerque Journal, “This Mortal Coil.”
Here’s a quick summary of tomorrow’s events. Most of the festival events are free or low cost – register online and get your tickets now.
Before I Die NM Festival Events – Tuesday, October 30, 2018
- Death Cafe | 9:00 am-11:00 am
Don’t miss the daily Death Cafe conversations at the BID NM Festival. At Death Cafes, people share ideas and thoughts on mortality over cake or cookies, and tea or coffee. These talks are not focused on grief support or counseling – the main objective is to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” Free event.
Wood caskets built by Fathers Building Futures
Casket Building Workshop Tour | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Take a tour of a casket and urn workshop at Fathers Building Futures, a nonprofit organization that empowers formerly incarcerated parents by ensuring they have the best opportunities for stability — emotionally, socially, and financially. Part of the proceeds from the BID Festival will be donated to Fathers Building Futures. Free event.
- Yoga for Grief Class | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
We all grieve the loss of a loved one in our own unique way. Try out a gentle grief yoga class that offers a holistic approach to coping with loss. Hosted by Gloria Drayer, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor and Shiatsu practitioner. Free event.
- Death Doula Panel Discussion | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm | SANTA FE
A death doula is a non-medical person who assists in the dying process. Death doulas are trained to care for someone physically, emotionally, and spiritually at end of life, and also to help families cope with the death of their loved one. Attend this session to find out how a death doula can help you. Free event.
- Obituary Writing Workshop | 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Have you thought about writing your own obituary? Get tips from this obituary-writing and life celebration workshop. Refreshments provided and the event is free.
- Your Estate and Your Stuff | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | SANTA FE
What will happen to all your stuff when you die? Learn how to organize your personal legacy and get pointers on downsizing and estate planning during this presentation. Free event.
Writing Letters to the Dead | 6:30pm – 8:30pm | SANTA FE
Writing Letters to the Dead | 6:30pm – 8:30pm | SANTA FEFind out how after-death communication works. This presentation dives into how writing letters to loved ones who have died can help people cope with grief and loss, and also address personal fears of death. Free event.
Don’t miss any of Tuesday’s events or the events planned for the rest of this week through November 4! Get your tickets now for the Before I Die NM Festival at www.BeforeIDieNM.com, with the addresses for these and other events. Network with other attendees using the event app Whova. See you tomorrow in New Mexico!