A Celebrity Mortician Begins Series of Tender, Practical Conversations about Death & Dying
The subject of death and dying can be difficult – even taboo – for people, even as health care professionals press for more honest dialogue with patients and families.
The Library will help start the conversations at the series “Death & Dying: Conversations on End-of-Life Matters” Thursday, Nov. 1, through Nov. 6. The 2016 series opened so many conversations, we’re bringing it back with help from a Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks grant.
“Given the chance, people will talk about end-of-life topics,” says Sarah Rosendahl, copywriter for the library district and series organizer. “These conversations are changing lives by helping people to live and die better, and we are thrilled to be part of the discussions.”
Caitlin Doughty, YouTube star of “Ask a Mortician,” will talk about her new book “From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death” at a free event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Friday, Nov. 2, we’re showing “Coco” at 6:30 p.m. for all ages in the Library Center auditorium.
Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m.-noon in Library Center meeting rooms A and B, attorneys from Ozarks Elder Law will talk about end-of-life legal matters, trust and estate planning basics. A Hospice Resource Fair is planned 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the concourse.
Then stay for the Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration from 1-3 p.m. for all ages in the auditorium. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday observed Oct. 31-Nov. 2, for family and friends to celebrate their loved ones who have died. Grupo Latinoamericano will celebrate with dances, altars (ofrendas) and pan de muerto (bread of dead), hot chocolate, crafts and Catrinas face painting.
Sunday, Nov. 4, is Death Café from 2-4 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium, for casual discussions about end-of-life matters and questions.
The series continues Nov. 5 with an Advance Care Planning Workshop and Nov. 6 with Coping with the Holidays and Grief.
The complete schedule is at thelibrary.org/death or in Bookends.
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