The Before I Die New Mexico Festival had a number of fascinating panel discussions. The Albuquerque events were video recorded. The topics cover a range of issues, including:
- Funeral planning information from Millennial Morticians with ABQ Brews and experienced funeral directors.
- How to achieve a gentle death in New Mexico, with medical aid-in-dying being considered in the state legislature.
- Legal and financial issues related to end-of-life.
- How to get a green burial in New Mexico,
- The “woo-woo” side of death, including near death experiences.
- Tips for downsizing while keeping your family legacy.
Here are YouTube links to all videos from the 2018 festival.
Near Death Experiences and End-of-Life Visions
The panelists are (L to R): Kate Blaker, who had a Near Death Experience at age 25; Jo Lynne, an artist with a unique gift of seeing angels and other visions; and Erin Conklin, hospice and palliative care nurse.
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Funeral Directors Panel on What You Need to Know
This panel discussion features Albuquerque funeral directors taking audience questions on a range of issues related to death, dying and funeral planning. Panelists include Apollo Miller, French Funerals & Cremations; Gloria Salazar, Salazar Funeral Homes & Crematory; and Jody Herrington, Daniels Family Funeral Services.
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How to Reach a Gentle Death in New Mexico
This panel discussion, “How to Reach a Gentle Death in New Mexico,” covers hospice, healthcare and end-of-life issues, and the state legislature session in Santa Fe where a bill regarding medical aid-in-dying was introduced in January 2019.
The speakers are Libby Hopkins, hospice and palliative care nurse; Revathi A-Davidson, retired hospice/healthcare administrator; and Keith Julian, advocate for the End-of-Life Options movement. The moderator is Jean Anderson with the Compassion and Choices New Mexico Action Team.
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Legal and Financial Issues with End-of-Life
This panel discussion focuses on legal and financial issues related to end-of-life. The panelists are Jim Plitz, attorney and partner with Morris Hall estate planning attorneys; Betsy Ehrenberg, founder of Legacy Concierge; and Carl Wackerle, Vice President of Individual Life and Annuity Sales at National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL).
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Getting a Green Burial in New Mexico
This panel discussion examines a range of issues, including what green burial means, how Jewish funerals are naturally eco-friendly, different ways to green your final disposition, the different shades of green in funeral arrangements, hospice and home funerals, and other topics. The expert panelists are:
- Darrell Hill, Founder+CEO of EternityGardens.com, is a career marketing professional and brand strategist. Darrell has more than two decades of experience building marketing and branding platforms in the healthcare and banking industries as well as servicing clients as a brand strategy consultant.
- Darren Crouch is President and co-founder of Passages International Inc., an innovative company specializing in the design and manufacture of environmentally-friendly and biodegradable funeral products. Founded in 1999, Passages focuses on creating eco-friendly urns, caskets and memorial items for those families opting for less traditional funerals.
- Emet Ma’ayan, LCSW, is the Founder of Fathers Building Futures, an Albuquerque-based social enterprise managed by and for formerly incarcerated parents. Fathers Building Futures’ caskets are 100% environmentally friendly and certified kosher by the Cantorial and Rabbinic Association of New Mexico.
- Linda Jo Canyon, OTR/L, together with Dr. Donal W. Key, developed and own Natural Burial New Mexico and La Puerta Natural Burial Ground, a 40-acre cemetery at the base of the Manzano Mountains dedicated to green burial and certified by the national Green Burial Council. At their website, www.NaturalBurialNewMexico.com, they offer guidance for home funerals and greening final arrangements.
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Downsizing While Maintaining Your Family Legacy
Three professional organizers discuss how to downsize and still keep your family legacy. The panelists are:
- Hazel Thornton, Organized for Life and Beyond
- Miriam Ortiz y Pino, More Than Organized
- Karen Hyatt, Estate Pros
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Millennial Morticians with ABQ Brews
Four funeral directors in their 30s participate in a panel discussion at Tractor Brewing Company in Albuquerque. The panelists are:
- Jody Herrington, general manager of Strong-Thorne Mortuary and Fairview Memorial Park, part of Daniels Family Funeral Services
- Aaron War, embalmer with French Funerals & Cremations
- Christine Garcia, with Riverside Funeral Home
- Michael Garcia, Funeral Service Intern, Salazar Funeral Homes & Crematory
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The Before I Die New Mexico Festival will return in November of 2019! Look for more great discussions and information on what you need to know before you go.