What People Are Saying About Gail Rubin:

“We appreciate the uplifting words Gail Rubin brought to El Paso after the tragic shooting that devastated our community. At our one-day Before I Die seminar, she provided an incredible warm and upbeat presentation and her knowledge won over the audience in a big way. I highly recommend Gail!” — Salvador Perches, CEO, Perches Funeral Homes

“On behalf of Townsend and all our clients, thank you so much for your wonderful presentation. Our clients were really engaged and took away several new ‘bits’ of knowledge! I love how you bring humor and laughter to end-of-life topics.” — Madison Petersen, Marketing Coordinator, Townsend Retirement & Estate Planning

“Downsize and Organize! Organize and Downsize! What a positive, informative and entertaining presentation Gail Rubin shared with a packed audience at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall, Texas, on Tuesday, September 4th. Gail is professional and relatable.  All those in attendance learned, laughed and left inspired! We continue to receive wonderful feedback from folks who are now motivated to take steps to downsize, organize, and get their end of life plans in place.” — Nancy Starnes, Family Service Manager, Rest Haven Funeral Homes & Cemetery

“Gail’s ability to weave facts and humor about often-avoided topics, dying and death, are just the right chemistry for any audience. Gail joined us as keynote speaker for an event including civic leaders, representatives of local for profit and nonprofit service organizations, healthcare providers and community members. Her presentation was on point, well received and had just the right touch of humor, humanity and reality to hit home. Bravo!” — Kris Kington-Barker, Executive Director, Hospice of San Luis Obispo County

“As The Doyenne of Death®, Gail Rubin is upbeat and a most unique, thoroughly informed speaker. Her memorable presentations provide valuable take-aways. If your organization involves insurance, estate planning, or end-of-life issues, hire Gail for your next meeting!” — Carl Wackerle, VP Individual Life & Annuity Sales, National Guardian Life Insurance Company

“Gail’s lunch talk was just perfect.  Short, sweet and on point.  I heard lots of positive comments and it was a great way to end a good day for the cause.” — Barak Wolff, NM End of Life Options Coalition and Compassion & Choices NM

“Gail Rubin’s presentation Laughing in the Face of Death was a fresh and welcomed approach to end of life care. Her humorous twist on end of life issues was a delightful change from the typical regulatory compliance issues presented at conferences. Hospices can really benefit from having Gail as a speaker ” — Meggin Lorino, MSW, Executive Director,  New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care

“Even though death can be a difficult topic to discuss, Gail Rubin knows how to break through with laughter and honesty. Our Senior Companion Program participants always benefit from her presentations. I highly recommend her as a speaker!” — Heath Barkley, Senior Companion Program Supervisor, City of Albuquerque

(L to R) Susan Sefansky, Gail Rubin and Lisbeth Harcourt

“There’s been an overwhelmingly positive response to Gail Rubin as the keynote speaker at the University of Michigan Health System’s Grief Awareness Week. Her presentation ‘Laughing in the Face of Death: Movies, Medicine and Mortality’ incorporated a memorable collection of comedic and dramatic film clips in her talk about reactions to death in the hospital setting. She skillfully taught us about mastering our emotional reactions to death and communicating with patients and families around serious diagnoses. We highly recommend Gail Rubin as a speaker who can educate while entertaining a diverse range of audiences.” — Lisbeth Harcourt, MSW, LMSW, and Susan Sefansky, LMSW, ACSW, co-chairs of Grief Awareness Week.

Bob Yount, General Manager, Green Street Mortuary

“Gail Rubin as The Doyenne of Death has an impressive pedigree. Her comprehensive understanding of the world of ‘death care’ is amazing.” — Bob Yount, General Manager, Green Street Mortuary/San Francisco Columbarium

“The film clips Gail Rubin uses in her continuing education sessions make the information she conveys indelibly memorable. Our members who attended her presentations were enthusiastic about what they learned and how she maintained their rapt attention throughout. She also created a very entertaining after-dinner program focused on films and the funeral profession. I highly recommend Gail for both education and entertainment at funeral association conventions.” — Doug Williams, 2015-16 President, Alabama Funeral Directors Association

“Gail is about the only person I know that can make the subject of dying and death and funerals actually kind of palatable.” — Larry Ahrens, Past Host, The Morning Brew

Michele Phaneuf-Plasz

“Our funeral homes offer community education outreach sessions several times a year. Gail Rubin’s refreshing approach to preparing for end-of-life issues drew huge crowds who gave overwhelmingly positive feedback. She’s upbeat, well-informed, and a great resource to connect with new clients. Call Gail today!” — Michele Phaneuf-Plasz, Vice President, Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Manchester, NH

“Gail Rubin provided two fact-filled and entertaining film clip-illustrated CEU programs at the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association summer convention. The members — as well as the vendors in attendance — were rapt with attention. I have only heard good feedback from the attendees. We look forward to having her speak again at future meetings.” — Peter Morin, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association

“Gail Rubin presents a different type of program that is extremely informative and entertaining at the same time… no chances of nodding off in her presentations!  She allows us to laugh at ourselves and our profession. At the same time, she challenges us to embark on a journey to be better at teaching and empowering our client families to channel and process their grief in ways that are perfect for them… not how we may think they need to grieve.”  —  Gary Westerman,  Past President,  North Texas Funeral Directors Association

“I simply wanted to thank you for your participation in our annual conference – providing a wonderful presentation (very enjoyable), adding an important perspective and voice to the discussion panel, and being a good “around Joe” and sport in taking part in the entire experience. I’ll point to your backhoe operation as Example A. I thoroughly enjoyed hosting you and getting to know you, if only briefly.  I only hope your experience was as joyful as your demeanor; it must be fun being you.”  —  Dan Applegate,  Ohio Cemetery Association

“I can’t thank you enough for bringing your own very unique and special presentation on death, dying and Jewish funeral traditions to Beth Ami! Several folks commented to me that this was “one of the best” programs they’d attended and that they felt that learning about this subject matter should be “mandatory” for all Temple members” — Shelly Gordon, Program Director, Temple Beth Ami, Rockville, MD

“Gail Rubin’s talk, Jewish Funeral Traditions on Film, was a win-win for the JCC, the sponsors of the event, and our members. We had a great turn-out of JCC members and the public who laughed and learned a great deal. Gail is terrific!” — Rachelle Weiss Crane and Heather Cordova, Aaron Family JCC of Dallas

“Thank you for your presentation to the Visually Impaired Veterans at the VA Medical Center. Our Visually Impaired Veterans group benefitted from the information in your presentation. Thank you for adapting your talk to meet their needs.” — Trudi L. Valdez, Visual Impairment Services Coordinator

“Albuquerque Del Norte Rotary Club thanks you for your very thought-provoking talk. You raised many important issues and prodded many to think about issues that they often try to ignore. I received several calls and emails after the meeting with positive comments. Our members left the luncheon knowing a bit more than when they arrived.” — Donna Pedace, Program Committee Chair

Gail Rubin speaking at the NM Conference on Aging

“The 36th Annual Conference on Aging will be remembered as a huge success by those who attended. A good share of the credit for its success goes to you. Your contribution as a presenter helped to educate and inform New Mexico’s older adults, service providers and caregivers. On behalf of the Aging & Long-Term Services Department and the New Mexico Conference on Aging Planning Committee, we thank you for your participation and sharing your expertise.” — Crystal Lucero, Conference Coordinator, New Mexico Conference on Aging

“Gail Rubin’s presentation The Funeral Director on Film at our annual meeting was fun, interesting and very entertaining!” — Velma Sue DeLeon, Past President, Texas Funeral Directors Association

“Dear Gail – Thank you for your excellent and well-received talk here at OASIS Tuesday. You had rave reviews and comments from our members. They included: useful, helpful information, timely, upbeat, comprehensive, took a taboo subject and entertainingly enlightened us. Many commented that they love the film clips, and many wanted more from you! Thank you again!” — Kathleen Raskob, Executive Director, OASIS Albuquerque

“I just want you to know that I was at your Continuing Education seminar at Worsham College a few weeks ago. Just finished your book and enjoyed it a lot. It’s well written and easy to read. Lots of info. Thanks for your insight.”  —  Gene Cooney,  President,  Funeral Director Services Association of Great Chicago

“On behalf of Sandoval Senior Connection, thank you for your informative and humorous presentation, “A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die.” I commend your creativity in developing resources to address end-of-life issues in a fun, non-threatening way. We are fortunate to have someone of your professional credentials and vast knowledge as the ‘Doyenne of Death’ address the participants and serve as an ongoing expert in this area.” —  Wendy Deluca, MA, LPCC, Sandoval Senior Connection

“Gail Rubin’s presentation, Laughing in the Face of Death: Funny Films for Funeral Planning, was highly entertaining and informative. She used film clips effectively to raise important issues and illustrate, with comedy, what could go wrong.  I am so glad that we invited Gail to speak at our annual program; people have thanked me for the “best meeting ever” and have told their friends about seeing this film clip show by the Doyenne of Death!”  —  Sandy Ward,  President,  Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts

Dear Ms. Rubin,

I just wanted to thank you so much for your wonderful presentation to my CNM Death & Dying class. You covered a great deal of information in 90 minutes. The students particularly enjoyed your video clips from various movies depicting different aspects of the funeral planning process.

You talked about the subject with such an artful blend of respect and whimsy, responsibility and honor, and finally, an invitation to abandon the tired and traditional while creatively expressing the celebration of our loved ones.

The students came away with some creative alternatives that I am sure they will incorporate in their Planning Your Own Funeral assignment. Thank you again for an enlightening and entertaining 90 minutes. I will be enthusiastically recommending you to our other instructors of our Death & Dying classes at CNM.

Sincerely yours,

Kristin L. Roush, Ph.D.
CNM Psychology Faculty

“I loved your talk. You have a winsome personality and did a great job on Tuesday. My husband was impressed too. You present with a nice blend of humor and factual information. I forsee that my husband and I will do some planning. We are at that time in our lives, where we need to address end of life issues. You have helped us begin the conversation. Thanks so much.”  —  Betty Begeal,  Albuquerque,  New Mexico