Houston has a Before I Die Festival coming up March 27-29, 2020! This series of events is sponsored by Waldman Funeral Care in association with Congregation Emanu El, the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, and the National Museum of Funeral History.
Mark your calendars to come out to these events with speaker Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist and The Doyenne of Death®.
Schedule of Events
Friday, March 27, 7:15 p.m. Kicking the Bucket List: Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die
Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., Houston, TX
Do you plan to live forever? Do you ever plan to move? Depending on where you’re going, you can’t take it with you. This talk focuses on practical ways to downsize excess goods without being overwhelmed by the job, what you need to know to organize your information for your executor, and how to plan for end-of-life issues. Film clips add to the wealth of information in this talk, presented by Gail Rubin, CT.
Dinner and Talk, only $5.00, RSVP online: www.emanuelhouston.org
Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. Light Breakfast and Death Café Conversations
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, 801 Bering Drive, Houston, TX
Come join the conversation at the Death Cafe! The goal is “To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” Have a bagel and schmear, some coffee or tea, and an interesting, unstructured conversation about mortality issues. Conversation facilitator Gail Rubin is one of the U.S. pioneers of the worldwide Death Cafe movement.
Light Breakfast and Conversation, Free Event, RSVP: www.HCRJ.org
Saturday, March 28, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. The Funeral Director on Film
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX
By watching scenes from films and television shows, learn the history of undertaking in the U.S. and how funeral service has changed over 150 years.
In The Funeral Director on Film, pioneering death educator Gail Rubin entertains and educates with insights from Hollywood portrayals of “the last man to let you down.” Your $10.00 ticket provides all day access to the National Museum of Funeral History, open Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door.
$10 plus processing fee on EventBrite
Sunday, March 29, 10:00-11:30 a.m. Estate Planning: Hollywood Myth versus Facts & The Newly-Dead Game®
Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., Houston, TX
The way the movies portray it, wills are supposed to cover funeral plans in addition to the distribution of assets. Unfortunately, family members may die before doing any estate planning. Even with a will, plans can go awry. Clips from comedies and dramas illustrate the need to do estate planning TODAY.
Based on the classic television program, The Newlywed Game, The Newly-Dead Game tests couples on how well they know their partner’s last wishes. Gail Rubin also created an Individuals Edition so that everyone, not just couples, plus the audience can play along. It’s an upbeat way to start end-of-life planning conversations.
Light Brunch and Program, Free Event, RSVP: www.emanuelhouston.org
Food provided by Houston Catering Concepts.
About Waldman Funeral Care
At Waldman Funeral Care, we know what’s important to Houston-area families: responsive and attentive funeral planning experiences, delivered with warmth and respect for your families’ individual values, customs and traditions; regardless of religious affiliation.
Committed to guiding, supervising and handling every aspect of your family’s wishes with an assuring combination of compassion and expert professionalism, Waldman Funeral Care focuses on taking care of all the details so you can focus on taking care of each other.
Proudly an Independent Jewish owned Funeral Services Company, available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.WaldmanFuneralCare.com.