Stephanie West Allen, founder of Create A Great Funeral Day
Today, October 30, 2015, is the 16th annual Create a Great Funeral Day. Kudos to Stephanie West Allen for initiating this day on Chase’s Calendar of Events back in 2000. It’s a day to think about what you might want for your “good goodbye” and have a conversation with the people you love.
I’ve interviewed Stephanie several times over the years about why she started Create a Great Funeral Day. Over time, her ideas have evolved. Here are past posts that explain the idea behind Create a Great Funeral Day.
(2014) October 30 is Create a Great Funeral Day
Create a Great Funeral Day 2012
(2011) Avoid a “Facelift Funeral” with Create a Great Funeral Day
(2009) Create a Great Funeral Day
Apollo Miller, Location Manager and Funeral Director, French Funeral Home
To help you understand more about the elements involved in planning a funeral, here is a video tour of a funeral home. This was recorded last night at French Funerals & Cremations Lomas location. This tour was part of a TEDxABQ Adventure in follow-up to my TEDx talk about end-of-life issues and pre-need planning. We also held a Death Cafe with 13 people in the reception center, discussing what we just learned and thoughts about our own family situations.
This tour, ably conducted by Apollo Miller, Location Manager and Funeral Director, included information about funeral services, cremation, visitations, and details involved in making funeral arrangements. The tour included visits to the funeral home’s chapel, visitation rooms, arrangement rooms, and preparation center. Many thanks to the fine folks at French for their hospitality for this TEDx Adventure.
