A Before I Die Festival gives people a reason to visit a funeral home or cemetery before experiencing a death in the family. These events allow people to ponder their mortality without fear, prepare advance medical directives, create estate plans, and help communicate their wishes to family and loved ones.
Schedule:
Before I Die NM Festival Day Three
Location: Death Doula Professionals, 1724 Moon Street NE, ABQ, NM 87112
Theme: Preparing for the Inevitable
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Check in/coffee
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. “Let’s Get Ready! Everything You Need to Know Before You Go” with Dr. Kimberly Harms. Her talk explores the need to go beyond traditional estate planning and get our affairs in order emotionally. Acquire actionable steps for developing an Emotional Insurance Plan, and learn practical strategies for fostering forgiveness, reconciliation, and emotional healing within personal relationships. Her latest book is “Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For.” (viewable on Zoom)
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. “Planning for Peace: How Death Doulas Complete the Puzzle” with Death Doulas Danielle Slupesky and Brooke Nutting. This presentation will explore the vital role death doulas play in the end-of-life journey. By integrating the expertise of death doulas into end-of-life planning, attendees will discover how to enhance comfort and understanding, ultimately completing the puzzle of a peaceful transition.
11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Death Café conversation over lunch – an opportunity to discuss mortality concerns, openly and honestly.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. “Shed Before You’re Dead” Downsizing panel discussion with Kathy B. Dempsey, RN, MED, CSP, Dr. Kimberly Harms, and Miriam Ortiz Y Pino with More Than Organized on the benefits of culling our massive amounts of stuff and ways to do it. (viewable on Zoom)
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. “Would You Hold a Living Funeral for Yourself?” with Kathy Dempsey, who is also a death doula who has helped clients hold their own funerals while they are still alive. (viewable on Zoom)
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Book signing with Kathy Dempsey and Kimberly Harms.
November 3 Evening Event: Mortality Movies Showing and Discussion
Location: Death Doula Professionals, 1724 Moon Street NE, ABQ, NM 87112
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Watch a film related to the day’s theme of discussing and planning for end of life issues, and stick around for an insightful conversation. Attendees to vote on the choice of the 1971 cult classic Harold & Maude or the 2007 film The Bucket List.
