As usual, the expo at the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) featured many fascinating developments and unique products. Coverage is rolling out on The Family Plot Blog, continuing over the next few weeks.
Right now, you can see these stories with video: an example of a New Orleans jazz funeral, the BodySealer® system, handcrafted cremation urns from Earthhandsfire, Affirmativ Diagnostics brain autopsy and DNA banking services, and the Infinity Burial Suit from Coeio (a.k.a. the Mushroom Burial Suit). More interesting stories to come!
Looking forward to this month’s trip to Michigan, to make two presentations in Ann Arbor on May 18. “Laughing in the Face of Death: Movies, Medicine and Mortality” is sponsored by the University of Michigan Health System – Grief Awareness Week. In addition to being entertaining, it counts for continuing education credits. Then in the evening, the free talk “Jewish Funeral Traditions on Film” will be held at Beth Israel Congregation. Click the talk titles for a downloadable PDF flyer.
Over the weekend, I competed in the Toastmasters International Speech competition at the Division level. My speech, “When Death Calls,” made a compelling case for planning ahead, before death calls. Hope you’ll check out the seven-minute speech.
Links to other recent blog posts and upcoming events follow. Please 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 and see the associated videos. Review all posts on The Family Plot Blog or view just the Death Cartoons posted on the blog!
Mary Leigh Schaaf Reis Obituary You’ve got to love an obituary that names those left behind including, “a mentally deranged chihuahua, Calvin “The Destroyer of Rugs,” and a house full of stuff we have no idea what to do with.”
Public Grieving Prince’s Death, Private Cremation When celebrities die, people mourn publicly in ways that they might not for their own family members.
Use This Executor’s Checklist to Smooth Estate Transitions The executor’s job is made so much harder if information hasn’t been pulled together nor decisions made in advance. You can download a PDF of this checklist by registering at the end of this blog post.
Upcoming Events and a Humorous Quote
See the Calendar page for a full listing of events.
Saturday, May 7, noon — Presenting “It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive to Die” to the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NAARFE) Club #80. (Open only to members.)
Teri Garr, Peter Boyle, and Gene Wilder in Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” (1974).
Wednesday, May 18, 12:30 p.m. — Presenting “Laughing in the Face of Death: Movies, Medicine and Mortality” as part of Grief Week events at the University of Michigan May 16 to 20. Sponsored by the University of Michigan Health System Grief Week Committee. (download a PDF flyer)
Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. — Presenting “Jewish Funeral Traditions on Film” at Beth Israel Congregation, 2000 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Beth Israel Congregation, Temple Beth Emeth, and the University of Michigan Health System Grief Week Committee. (download a PDF flyer)
June 19-22 — Presenting two funeral continuing education classes – “Grief and Mourning in the Movies” and “Jewish Funeral Traditions on Film” and funny funeral film clips for the evening entertainment at the Alabama Funeral Directors Association Convention in Point Clear, Alabama.
“One lives and learns, doesn’t one?” “That is certainly one of the more prevalent delusions.” — Noel Coward