News and Notes: Your Burning Questions Answered

Aug 11, 2015 | 0 comments

This past week, I’ve written some interesting posts on information gleaned at the Cremation Association of North America’s recent convention and expo. You can learn about the latest on cremation rates, differences between cremation rituals in Asia and the U.S., what dental gold is worth and other burning questions you didn’t know to ask. Links to blog posts follow below.

TEDxABQ Gail RubinThe TEDxABQ Main Event, where I’ll be speaking about pre-need discussions of end-of-life issues, will be held Saturday, September 12. August 12 is the last day to get the Early Bird discount on tickets. More than 2,000 people pack Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque for this event. TEDxABQ presents a full day of interesting ideas, with food and gifts as part of the package.

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!

New Cremation Statistics from CANA – Cremation rates in North America continue to grow, but not as fast as it has in recent years.

Dental Gold and Cremation – One of the questions that frequently come up in my public presentations is “What’s the value of the gold crowns in my mouth and will that cover the cost of my cremation?”

Jeff Chancellor

Jeff Chancellor, CFSP

Comparing Cremations in the U.S. and Asian Countries – Jeff Chancellor, CFSP, knows a lot about funeral traditions in Asian countries. In this video, he shares his thoughts on the different approach to cremation in the Orient compared to the U.S.

The Difference Between Ossuaries and Columbaria – Yes, there is a difference. Read more and watch a video in this blog post.

Upcoming Events and a Mortality Quote

Saturday, August 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Albuquerque Death Cafe at Gail Rubin’s home. The objective of the Death Cafe is “To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” It’s an interesting, unstructured conversation – open and free-flowing with no specific agenda. People come together in a relaxed, confidential and safe setting to discuss death, drink tea (or your favorite beverage) and eat delicious cake or cookies. RSVP to 505.265.7215 for address and directions. Click for more information about the Albuquerque Death Cafe.

Wednesday, August 26, noon  Gail speaks at the Albuquerque Del Norte Rotary Club meeting at the Sheraton Uptown, northeast corner of Menaul and Louisiana NE. Her talk is titled “We Can Do That? New Trends in Death Care.”

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.

Wednesday, 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.

“If you live to be one hundred, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.” — George Burns

A Good Goodbye