Too Poor to Die: A Reading & Conversation

Explore the politics and power of memorialization with Amy Shea, author of Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins. She will be joined in conversation by Emma Acker of All’s Well Initiative, an organization providing End-of-Life Doula services to the unhoused, and Elsie Soto the Director of Friends of Hart Island, New York City’s public cemetery. Together, they’ll consider how we remember and honor those who have died, especially those without family or resources.The conversation will be moderated by Gabrielle Gatto, Green-Wood’s Manager of Public Programs. A book signing will follow the conversation, with books available for purchase.

About the presenters:Amy Shea is an essayist with an MFA and a doctorate in creative writing. In addition to her latest publication, her work has appeared in literary journals across the U.S. She works as the Writing Program Director for Mount Tamalpais College, a free community college for the incarcerated people of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

Emma Acker has been working as an end-of-life doula since 2017. In 2021, Emma founded All’s Well Initiative to provide compassionate end-of-life care across the socioeconomic spectrum of New York City. Partnering with the Pathways Program at All Angels’ Church on NYC’s Upper West Side, Emma created the Health Care “Proxy Project” supporting unhoused individuals. Emma joined University of Vermont's End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program as an academic instructor in 2025. She is a founding team member of Here to Honor.

Elsie Soto is the Director of Friends of Hart Island and a public health advocate dedicated to preserving dignity, remembrance, and access to New York City’s public cemetery, where her father was buried during the AIDS epidemic in 1993. Elsie leads citywide efforts to landmark Hart Island and expand visitation for families, blending advocacy, education, and public health awareness. Her work has been recognized by New York City mayors and featured in The New York Times, Society Magazine (France), and numerous local, national, and international publications.About the book:Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins is a collection of essays that take the reader on a journey into what happens to those who die while experiencing homelessness or who end up indigent or unclaimed at the end of life. Too Poor to Die highlights the disparities in death and dying faced by some of society’s most marginalized and underscores how privilege and access play a role in death as in life.

Free. Please consider a to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer more death education programs like this throughout the year.

Before Purchasing Your Ticket, Please Note:

• Registration: Advanced reservation is strongly recommended. We may reach capacity, potentially turning away late arrivals. While registration is recommended, it does not guarantee entry. Only one space may be reserved per person.
• Location: Programs will take place at various locations and times throughout the day. Please check the schedule for details on your selected events.

• Donation: Although programs are free, we invite each registrant to support Green-Wood's ongoing death education initiatives through a voluntary contribution, enabling us to continue offering meaningful community programs throughout the year.
• Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant; however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or [email protected].
• A Little More About Safety: Unless there is a medical emergency, it may be difficult to easily exit during certain tours. Please consider these limitations before registering.

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Host or Publisher The Green-Wood Historic Fund