Bringing Death to the Dinner Table: How To Talk About Death

This event is for the public as part of an educational series presented by the Compassionate Care Collective: An End-of-Life Network.

Bringing Death to the Dinner Table is a free educational forum that offers a unique opportunity to engage in one of the most important, yet often avoided conversations: DEATH. This forum will provide a safe space to explore both collective and individual beliefs about death, offering insights you may have never considered before. By normalizing discussions about death, we can begin to dismantle the fear and taboo that surround this inevitable part of life. Facing mortality with openness allows us to not only ease our anxieties but also live more fully and authentically, appreciating the time we have and understanding the value of preparation.

Through this educational forum, you'll gain practical tools to bring death to your own dinner table with family and friends, creating an atmosphere where death is no longer a forbidden topic but an essential one. Planning for death is one of the most compassionate acts a person can do for themselves and their loved ones. Without this preparation, unresolved affairs can make the dying process chaotic and unsettling. Bringing Death to the Dinner Table will emphasize the importance of creating a comprehensive death plan—clarifying wishes, tying up loose ends, and ensuring peace when the time comes. These conversations can offer a sense of control, ease the emotional burden, and allow for a more peaceful, dignified transition for both the dying and their loved ones.

Who Should Attend:

• Anyone who wants to learn, explore and be in the taboo conversation about death.
• Anyone who wants to learn beyond the traditional, comfortable end-of-life planning.
• Anyone who wants to communicate effectively about death.

Why Attend:

• Gain Insight and Clarity: Attendees will gain valuable insights into the process of end-of-life planning, including practical steps and emotional considerations, helping them make informed decisions about their own death and that of their loved ones.
• Connect with Like-Minded Individuals: The forum provides a unique opportunity to engage with others who share a similar interest in discussing and understanding death, creating a supportive community for sharing experiences and perspectives.
• Learn Effective Communication Strategies: Participants will learn effective strategies for initiating and navigating conversations about death with loved ones, helping to break down barriers and foster more open and meaningful discussions.

What You Can Expect at This Networking Event:

6:30 PM
Registration Check-In / Mingle with other attendees

6:45 PM
Facilitated Portion of the Event:

• Introductions of Sara Ann Aerts and Lindsey Claar Smith
• Bringing Death to the Dinner Table presentation
• Questions from Attendees

Parking:

You are welcome to park for free in the parking lot behind Engel &Völkers. Enter the lot via the driveway to the right of the front door. Free parking is also available in the lots across the street and along any of the adjacent streets.

Meet Your Facilitators:

Sara Ann Aerts is a compassionate end-of-life planner and spiritual counselor who specializes in supporting individuals who receive unexpected terminal diagnoses. With extensive experience in end-of-life care and a deep understanding from her own personal losses, Sara Ann provides comprehensive guidance from the moment of diagnosis through to the end of life. She helps patients and their families navigate the practical, emotional and spiritual challenges, emphasizing the importance of clear end-of-life planning and open conversations. It is Sara Ann's desire to work with people to assist them with death planning well in advance, before death becomes imminent. Her dedicated approach ensures that individuals and their families can face this profound journey with clarity, dignity, and peace, allowing for a more serene and dignified transition.

Lindsey Claar Smith is an experienced relationship coach, speaker, and facilitator with an extensive background in education and community advocacy. Her experience counseling others as well as her own personal journeys have made her passionate about comprehensive end-of-life care. She has seen firsthand how the fear of death can cause unnecessary suffering. With a commitment to facing life’s most difficult challenges, Lindsey believes that addressing unresolved relationship issues before death is essential for healing. Guided by the principle that "people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care," Lindsey approaches her work with an open heart, making meaningful connections and providing compassionate support to those in need.

Host or Publisher Compassionate Care Collective