The Family Plot Blog
How To Downsize Our Household Goods Before We Die
We are a nation of unbridled consumers – and as we age, all those consumer goods have to go somewhere – given to our heirs or to charitable organizations, sold or given to strangers or carted to the dump. When you look at the numbers, adults have a lot of downsizing to do. According to the 2007 video The Story of Stuff, the United States has 5% of the world’s population, yet we’re using 30% of the world’s resources and creating 30% of the...
The Meanings Behind Rituals for Military and Veteran Funerals
Why is the casket of a veteran or active military serviceperson covered with an American flag? When did "Taps" become a regular part of a veteran's memorial service? What's the significance of the 21-gun salute and the 13 precise folds of the American flag during a military funeral? These and other questions were answered by Jim Hammond, Dean of the School of International Studies, during the class on Military and Veterans Rituals at the...
August 24: Movies, Medicine and Mortality Presentation
Laughing in the Face of Death: Movies, Medicine and Mortality is a continuing education presentation for social workers and medical professionals. Gail Rubin, CT, will present this one-hour talk at the New Mexico Conference on Aging on Wednesday, August 24 at 12:15 p.m. The two-day conference takes place at Isleta Resort & Casino, 11000 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM. In hospitals, medical professionals, patients and families focus on...
What you need to know about funeral traditions
If you Google "Greek Orthodox Funeral Traditions," you'll find one of the top results is this post on the Family Plot Blog. Not yet covered in depth: Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Hispanic or African-American traditions (although many religious traditions are already covered). That changes this coming week, as I attend the International Studies College of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) Summer...
Ways Grief and Mourning Reactions Can Vary
Killing and grief are all over the news and social media this summer. From the shootings in Orlando to Dallas police officers gunned down while protecting protesters, and all the other killings we’ve seen, our grief reactions have a pattern. Immediate reactions are shock, numbness, horror, sadness, anger and tears. Then come the candlelight vigils, the public memorials with flowers, flags, candles, teddy bears and hand-drawn cards expressing...
July 29: Laughing and Learning End-of-Life Workshop
On Friday, July 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., join Gail Rubin for an Osher Lifelong Learning class, “Laughing and Learning: A Practical End-of-Life Workshop." Even though humans have a 100% mortality rate, only 25% of us do any end-of-life planning. The Laughing and Learning workshop will give you the tools and the inspiration to take practical steps for outlining your funeral plans/memorial celebration, drafting your own obituary and/or...
July 30: Albuquerque Death Cafe
It’s time for another Albuquerque Death Cafe, which are quite lively! People come together to share what’s on their hearts and minds about mortality. The next Albuquerque Death Cafe is scheduled for July 30, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at death educator 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 all about an interesting,...
Video: How a Thesaurus Makes You Appear Smarter
Using a thesaurus to liven up your language in speaking and writing can help you sound smarter. When you wear reading glasses, you can also look smarter. Here's a short speech I gave at Albuquerque Challenge Toastmasters Club on "Our Friend the Thesaurus." For those of you who don't know Patricia Fripp, referenced in this speech, in addition to being a renowned keynote speaker, she also coaches speakers and executives to improve their...
July 22-27: ICCFA University
Look for fresh Family Plot Blog posts on funeral customs of all major religions and of population groups from around the world! The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) holds its summer University in Memphis, Tennessee July 22 through 27, 2016. Thanks to a scholarship from Regions Bank, Gail Rubin is enrolled in the International Studies program, covering religious and cultural influences on funeral observations....
The Newlywed Game Turns 50 Today!
On this day in history, July 11, 1966, the TV game show The Newlywed Game premiered on ABC-TV. It was hosted by Bob Eubanks, who at the age of 28 was the youngest game show host on television at the time. The game pitted newly married couples against each other in a series of revealing question rounds to determine how well the spouses know (or don’t know) each other. Bob Eubanks immortalized the phrase “making whoopee” (used as a reference to...
Downsize Before Death With This Helpful Book
Do you plan to live forever? Good for you! Do you ever plan to move? Depending on where you’re going, you can’t take it with you. KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die is your guide to a clean house and a clear mind. LEARN MORE HERE Kicking the Bucket List has a foreword by funeral director Amy Cunningham, who provides a thoughtful introduction to the idea of downsizing and preparing for end-of-life....
More Obituaries Weighing in on Election 2016 Choices
In greater numbers than ever before, the dead are making presidential vote requests in their obituaries. Obituary website Legacy.com's vice president for operations Katie Falzone was interviewed on Weekend Edition about the growing number of vote requests included in ever more colorful obituaries. For example: When Elaine Fydrych in New Jersey passed away at the age of 63, her obituary included the request, "in lieu of flowers, please do not...
New Mexico’s highest court denies right to aid in dying
Yesterday, the New Mexico Supreme Court killed any hopes for a court-approved route for the state to allow physician aid to help terminally ill patients achieve a peaceful death. The next step in the journey is through the state legislature. The headline in the Albuquerque Journal was confusing: "New Mexico assisted suicide law affirmed." New Mexico’s highest court Thursday said there is no fundamental or even important right under the state...
Live Long and Prosper: Star Ship Enterprise Featured in Smithsonian
The original Star Trek spaceship Enterprise is now enshrined in the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum's main Hall of Flight. The 11-foot long model of the ship from the original TV series, last remodeled in 1967, was rescued from deterioration in the museum's gift shop by museum conservator Malcolm Collum. This article in the Washington Post detailed the changes made in the restoration. From the story: When Paramount donated the ship to the...
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[Video] Examining Grief Reactions on A Good Goodbye TV
Grief can affect us physically in many different ways. This episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on YouTube, features Dr. Diane Polasky, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and certified death educator, discussing what individuals can do to recognize and embrace the grieving process. In this 25-minute conversation with host Gail Rubin, CT, she explains: The differences between grief over anticipated death versus traumatic deaths What parts of...
Hearses Through History at AFDA is a Hit!
The Alabama Funeral Directors Association held the 130th annual meeting of their members June 19 to 22, 2016 at the beautiful Grand Hotel Resort at Point Clear, AL. It's amazing to think this organization has gathered every year since 1886. This year, they proudly elected their first woman funeral director president: Carrell Ann Wyatt Spears from Wyatt Funeral Home in Opp, Alabama. Congratulations to Carrell Ann! Immediate past president Doug...
Eliminate Household Clutter Before You Go Crazy
For the next twenty years, an average of 10,000 people each day will reach age 65. All those retiring baby boomers face major life changes which may include downsizing into smaller living quarters, retirement communities or assisted living settings. When you’ve lived in the same place for years, stuff tends to accumulate. Here are seven ways to reduce materials goods before making a move. Decide Your Approach There are different ways to tackle...
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[Video] Funeral Costs Examined on A Good Goodbye TV
Funeral costs are something most people don't research in advance. If you don't do funeral planning BEFORE there's a death in the family, sticker shock may set in when you start making funeral arrangements. This episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on YouTube, focuses on the costs of funerals and memorial services and different ways to pay, either in advance or at-need. Guest expert Jeff Harbeson, The Funeral Commander and founder of The...
We Mourn Unexpected Deaths and Religious Intolerance
Saturday night's mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando by a man claiming allegiance to ISIS terrorists has rocked our world. Not only did 49 mostly young people die, once again, the religion of Islam and its adherents are also victims of the violence. Here in New Mexico, hundreds have gathered to publicly mourn. Abdur’Rauf R. Campos-Marquetti, made a statement on behalf of the Islamic Center of New Mexico. He noted that America and the...
![[Video] How to Discuss End-of-Life Care](https://i0.wp.com/agoodgoodbye.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mindi-horwitch.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
[Video] How to Discuss End-of-Life Care
If you find it difficult to start a conversation about hospice and palliative care, watch this episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on YouTube. Host Gail Rubin interviews Mindi Horwitch, LISW, with No Regrets Advanced Care Planning, on discussing and planning for end-of-life care. Surveys show about 70% of people say they want to die at home, but in actuality, 70% of patients wind up dying in the hospital. Because so many people are...
We treat dogs better than people for a peaceful end-of-life
Today, June 9, 2016, the state of California begins allowing physician aid in dying. Terminally-ill people desperate for a peaceful end-of-life option are breathing a sigh of relief. We've been giving this option to our dogs and cats for decades - now a few more people can get it too. It took the actions of 29-year old Brittany Maynard, a Californian with brain cancer, to get the state to sit up and take action on physician aid in dying. She...