Though it’s a topic most people do not feel comfortable discussing casually, death is an inevitability we all must face, and Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts President James Couchon says it’s something we all should plan for.
That’s why from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, the Funeral Consumers Alliance will hold a free public talk about end-of-life preparation at the Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton. It will feature a program held by end-of-life navigator and coach Dina Stander titled “Can We Talk? Starting A Conversation About Death.” The program will also be livestreamed on Zoom.
“It’s all about, how do you broach the subject? How do you start an uncomfortable conversation with parents or loved ones, who may not want to necessarily talk about it, but you want to know what are their wishes for when they go, or you want your wishes known when you finally go,” Couchon said. “We’re hoping to help make people feel comfortable bringing the subject up, because it’s not something everyone wants to talk about, for sure, but there’s nothing icky or unusual about it. It’s all about how you want to be celebrated.”
The event will also include card games related to the topic of death, such as “Go Wish,” in which participants browse through a pile of 36 cards describing various positive aspects of their deaths and choose which elements they would like to see implemented at the end of their own life. Participants can also play the “The Death Deck Game,” a pack of cards with 112 multiple choice and open-ended question cards that are designed to ignite lively conversations about death in small groups.
The Greenfield-based Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts, as a charitable nonprofit that is independent of the funeral industry, does not receive any public funding, Couchon said. Although the event is free for the public to attend, attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the organization.
“Our organization is dedicated to providing consumers with information on how to provide affordable, dignified and meaningful death care to their loved ones, however they define that,” he said. The alliance serves Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties.
Those attending the event must email fcawmass@gmail.com by Saturday, Oct. 4, to reserve seating or to request the Zoom link.