Century House and New West Hospice are working together to help normalize conversations around death and dying.
The second annual Dialogue on Death and Dying features a variety of educational seminars and events. Its organizers say the goal is to normalize conversations in our community about death and dying – totally natural human events that are kept far too secret in our Western culture.
In addition to seminars on a wide variety of topics, this year’s event includes an art exhibition, a performative walk through Queen’s Park and a variety show. All of the sessions are free, but donations are suggested at the door for Thursday night’s variety show.
Here’s the lineup of this week’s seminar:
- Indigenous Perspective on Death & Dying – Tuesday, Nov. 7 (10 a.m. to noon): Features presenter Jennifer Mallmes, co-founder of the End of Life Doula Association of Canada, the creator and an instructor of the End of Life Doula program and the Indigenous End of Life Guide program at Douglas College.
- Death, Taxes & Beyond – Tuesday, Nov. 7 (1 to 3 p.m.): Sheilagh Cahill, a financial educator from Credit Counselling Society, will guide participants through the basics of wills, taxes and insurance along with relevant resources, enabling them to get their own financial house in order.
- MAiD Conversation and Q&A – Tuesday, Nov. 7 (7 to 9 p.m.): Tammy Dyson, regional lead for MAiD with Fraser Health Authority, will discuss medical assistance in dying (MAiD), which is a process that allows someone who is found eligible to be able to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life. This session is neither a platform to advocate for nor to dismiss MAiD.
- Death Care Options and Planning: What happens to my body after death? – Wednesday, Nov. 8 (10 a.m. to noon): Emily Bootle, a death educator who is passionate about nurturing awareness and empowerment in after-death care, aims to bridge the gap between public health care and the private system of funeral homes through tailored skill-building with professionals.
- Advanced Care Planning Workshop: Wednesday, Nov. 8 (1 to 3 p.m.): Bryn Poschenrieder and Christine Delos Santos from Fraser Health will discuss the 5 steps of Advance Care Planning – providing insights and resources that will help attendees better understand how to share and document their wishes for future health and personal care.
- Multi-Faith Spirituality Panel – Wednesday, Nov. 8 (7 to 9 p.m.): Panel discussion by members of the Multi-Faith Council of B.C. Discussion will centre around perspectives on care for the dying, MAiD, cremation, burial, funeral rites, mourning rites, and what happens after death.
- Grief 101 – What is Grief? – Thursday, Nov. 9 (10 a.m. to noon): Tracy Chalmers, an end-of-life doula who helps individuals and families on the end-of-life journey, will share her experiences and knowledge and help people to be intentional about how they meet death and grief.
- Not Your Grandma’s Funeral: Creative Ways to Celebrate a Life – Thursday, Nov. 9 (1 to 3 p.m.): Christina Andreola, owner of an event planning company that specializes in coordinating unique and personalized celebrations of life, will lead a seminar on remimagining how people approach celebration of life events.
Arts and entertainment events are also part of this year’s Dialogue on Death and Dying.
The Visual Arts Dialogue on Death and Dying – Grief and Loss exhibit is on display at Century House until Nov. 20.
“Enjoy this exhibit of visual arts pieces that connect to the theme of death, dying, grief and loss,” said a notice about the event. “An artist’s statement will be presented with each piece to facilitate the dialogue about the artwork, even when the artists are not present. The artwork will be made available for sale.”
Dancing through Decay and Release – a 90-minute “performative walk” – takes place in Queen’s Park on Thursday, Nov. 9 (1 to 3 p.m.) and Friday, Nov. 10 (10 a.m. to noon).
“Join Celeste Snowber as she interprets the natural world of Queen’s Park in a site-specific performance of dance, poetry and spoken word. Taking inspiration from the trees, plants, and ecology of the park, Celeste will explore themes of decay and dying, rebirth and release,” said a notice about the event. “Walking gently together in contemplative silence, Celeste will interpret place through an artistic lens.”
This event takes place rain or shine and includes a discussion after the walk. It begins outside the Bernie Legge Theatre and ends in the rose garden. Attendees are reminded to dress for the weather and to wear comfortable shoes.
Because we Loved, We Laugh, We Sing, We Cry is the theme of a variety show taking place on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Sanctuary gym (529 Queens Ave.) The New West Hospice is hosting a night of musicians, comedians and poets who will be sharing their perspectives on death and dying at a special performance.
“Please come prepared to sing, to laugh, and to cry,” said a write-up about the event.
Admission is by donation ($20 is recommended).
Later in the month, Catherine Lamb, an end-of- life doula, will lead an expressive art therapy workshop. It’s on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Century House.
“Engage your imagination, explore feelings, emotions and thoughts in this healing workshop allowing you to explore your grief in a safe space and at your own pace,” said a write-up about the event. “There is no right or wrong way to make art or how we express our grief. Using art as an expressive tool gives each person an opportunity to create new meaning, often leading to deeper meaning.”
Details and registration are available through Century House or by calling its front desk at 604-519-1066. Daytime events at Century House are limited to people aged 50 and older, but evening events are open to all ages.
