The Family Plot Blog
April 13-16: ICCFA Convention and Expo
What do you get when you combine funeral directors, cemeterians, cremationists and vendors to the funeral industry in New Orleans for a convention? You get one very interesting glimpse into the workings of the death care business. April 13-16, 2016, Gail Rubin attends the annual convention and expo of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) as a trade journalist. She'll be scouting out interesting new developments,...
Start a Conversation with Your Clothing
"All men (and women) are cremated equal." It's a bold statement, one that always prompts smiles and comments when I wear this black T-shirt out in public. Before now, when people asked where they could get their own shirt, there wasn't anyplace I could direct them. Now there is, at AGoodGoodbye.com. The shirt is available in Medium, Large and Extra-Large. It’s printed on hefty cotton that will withstand many trips through the washer and dryer....
![[Video] Are You Planning to Die Without a Will?](https://i0.wp.com/agoodgoodbye.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/jim-plitz-mhk.jpg?resize=171%2C213&ssl=1)
[Video] Are You Planning to Die Without a Will?
As many as 75% of adults avoid funeral planning. And about the same percentage of adults avoid estate planning. That's bad news for the survivors of people who die without a will. This episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on The Family Plot Channel on YouTube, focuses on the legal and financial issues that every adult needs to address BEFORE there's a death in the family. Attorney Jim Plitz with Morris Hall, PLLC, an estate planning law...
Make March 31 “Right to Die” Day?
This day in history has two developments significant in the area of self-determination regarding medical extension of a patient's life, also known as right-to-die. On March 31, 1976, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Karen Ann Quinlan, a young woman in a persistent vegetative state, could be disconnected from her respirator. When she was 21, Quinlan became unconscious after she consumed drugs and alcohol while on a crash diet and lapsed...
Young People Need End-of-Life Plans, Too
Today's Dear Abby column provides a sobering reminder that planning for end-of-life is not just for aging Baby Boomers and the elderly. The many decisions that must be made for an unexpected death are the same, and it's vital to have the details of your life pulled together to help guide your loved ones in a time of grief. DEAR ABBY: My 29-year-old brother died suddenly last month. It was completely unexpected. He left behind a wife and...
Explaining Alkaline Hydrolysis on A Good Goodbye Radio
The use of cremation is growing in the United States, and so is interest in alkaline hydrolysis, also called "flameless cremation," biocremation, aquamation, dissolution or resomation. It's a greener disposition alternative with a smaller carbon footprint being used by some funeral homes in selected states. The latest episode of A Good Goodbye Radio on FuneralRadio.com features an interview with Samantha "Sam" Seiber, biologist with...
Announcing the All Men Are Cremated Equal T-Shirt!
“All men (and women) are cremated equal.” makes a bold statement in white text on this black short-sleeved T-shirt.
The Newly-Dead Game at Frozen Dead Guy Days 2016
How well do you know your partner's last wishes? Could you pull together a memorial service with the information you currently know about that person? The Newly-Dead Game® at the 2016 Frozen Dead Guy Days festival in Nederland, Colorado had great interest and participation by 12 couples. Three games, scheduled at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, each had four couples participate. The Newly-Dead Game is like the...
End-of-Life Thoughts from Stephen Jenkinson
Stephen Jenkinson started his book reading event by noting there were at least six men in the audience, which was composed primarily of women. He congratulated them on coming out to hear end-of-life thoughts from a death educator who worked in the death trade. Usually, it's only women. Jenkinson, the author of Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, has a lot to say about death and dying. In addition to reading from his book, he spoke about...
![[Video] Pet Loss Issues on A Good Goodbye TV](https://i0.wp.com/agoodgoodbye.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ann-beyke-and-friends.jpg?resize=220%2C169&ssl=1)
[Video] Pet Loss Issues on A Good Goodbye TV
Pet loss and ways to memorialize a pet are covered in this episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on The Family Plot Channel on YouTube. The guests interviewed are pet loss grief counselor Ann Beyke and Vaughn Hendren with Best Friends Pet Cremation Services and Best Friends Forever cemetery. This episode also features the pet loss resources available at Funeralwise.com. This site has information on euthanasia decisions, pet funerals, pet...
Appraisals and Estate Planning
Why get an appraisals. Art, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, musical instruments, and even your house can affect the overall value of an estate. Appraisals provide a snapshot in time of each item’s value. This helps estate planning attorneys to accurately structure equitable distribution of assets as dictated by the client. Appraising Art There are many forms of art: paintings made with watercolors, oil, acrylic, and mixed media; prints made by...
Here Comes The Newly-Dead Game!
The Newly-Dead Game® returns to Frozen Dead Guy Days this weekend! The contest pits up to four couples against each other in a test of how well the partners know each others' last wishes. The game will take place at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the Black Forest Restaurant in Nederland, Colorado. Sign up in advance at the restaurant to reserve your spot. The sponsors of The Newly-Dead Game at Frozen Dead Guy...
![[Video] A Good Goodbye TV on Life Celebrations](https://i0.wp.com/agoodgoodbye.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AGGTVSq.jpg?resize=368%2C250&ssl=1)
[Video] A Good Goodbye TV on Life Celebrations
The fourth episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on The Family Plot Channel on YouTube, focuses on the life cycle event formerly known as a funeral or memorial service, now known as celebrations of life or life celebrations. The guests interviewed are Paul Layer with FRENCH Funerals & Cremations, and Samara Rivett, Certified Celebrant. The discussion includes topics such as: The steps a family takes to say goodbye to a loved one How...
Cryonics: The Cold Facts
If you're in Nederland, Colorado during during Frozen Dead Guy Days festival March 11-13, stop by the Black Forest Restaurant to learn the strange but true story of how Bredo Morstoel from Norway came to be the celebrated Frozen Dead Guy of Nederland. When you watch the documentary “Grandpa’s in the TUFF SHED,” you'll get all the freezing fun facts about this cryonic misadventure. The 25-minute film will be shown continuously from 11:00 a.m. to...
Discussing Afterlife Questions with The Death Chicks
The latest Death Chicks online video series on The Big Questions featured a stellar panel discussion of what, if anything, happens after death. "What Happens When We Die??? A Conversation about the Afterlife" covered Near Death Experiences, the Kabbalah, the way many atheists react at end-of-life, Christian concepts of heaven and hell, and the idea of an existence beyond the physical realm. Joining Myste Lynn and Patty Burgess, the hosts of The...
![[Video] Green Burial and Eco-Friendly Funerals](https://i0.wp.com/agoodgoodbye.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/darren-crouch-on-agg.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
[Video] Green Burial and Eco-Friendly Funerals
The fourth episode of A Good Goodbye TV, now available on The Family Plot Channel on YouTube, focuses on green burial and eco-friendly funerals. Darren Crouch, president of Passages International and a director of the Green Burial Council's education program, is the guest expert interviewed on this program. Passages International is a leading provider of environmentally-friendly and green funeral products. While most people associate green only...
News & Notes: Frozen Dead Guy Days Fun!
Every year, the Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD) festival in Nederland, Colorado celebrates the on-ice existence of a real frozen dead guy from Norway. Yes, it's weird - and more than 10,000 people converge on this small mountain town west of Boulder to party and laugh in the face of death. The festivities include a parade of hearses, costumed coffin races and polar plunges, frozen turkey bowling and salmon tossing, lots of music and alcohol, and...
Speaking with Stephen Jenkinson, Author of Die Wise
What does it take to "Die Wise"? How can we start the conversation in our death-avoidant culture? Stephen Jenkinson, the author of Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, has a lot to say on the topic. He joined me for a special extended conversation on A Good Goodbye Radio in advance of his appearances in Albuquerque and Santa Fe coming up March 17, 18, 19 and 20. In this 33-minute interview, we discuss the death avoidance prevalent in the...
Feb. 24: Afterlife Conversation with The Death Chicks
Do not be fooled by the the title, "Afterlife Conversation with The Death Chicks"! Gail Rubin, CT, still alive and kicking. Gail will participate in the live Google Hangout Show, "What Happens When We Die??? A Conversation about the Afterlife," this Wednesday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time/noon Pacific Time. Click this link to tune in live online. The Death Chicks, Myste Lynn and Patty Burgess, are death educators who bring a light...
What Does “It’s All Taken Care Of” Really Mean?
When parents tell their adult children, “It’s all taken care of,” regarding their end-of-life arrangements, what do they mean? Assuming they’ve worked with a competent estate planning attorney, they’ll have a will, perhaps a trust, and advance medical directives in place, with health care and financial power of attorney designees and back-up designees. These elements, while vital, still fall short of taking care of everything. Consider these...
March 10: Funny Films for Funeral Planning
In honor of the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival in nearby Nederland, Colorado, Carroll-Lewellen Funeral & Cremation Services in Longmont and the Foothills Gardens of Memory are hosting Laughing in the Face of Death: Funny Films for Funeral Planning. This free upbeat talk in the funeral home’s chapel features popcorn, beverages, door prizes, and clips from comedy films and television programs. It’s what you need to know before you go! The...