Death literacy for everyone

We're all going to die. Let's talk about it.

A Different Death is where you can talk plainly about death and dying, find resources that actually help, and sit in a room with people who aren't afraid of the subject.

Books we hand to people again and again.

• Briefly, Perfectly Human Alua ArthurA thought-provoking look at mortality, meaning and living fully. Find the book
• Being Mortal Atul GawandeThe limits of medicine, and why quality of life matters at the end. Find the book
• Final Rights Lisa Carlson and Joshua SlocumA detailed guide to funeral planning and your rights around death care in America. Find the book
• The Wild Edge of Sorrow Francis WellerGrief as something we're meant to carry together. Find the book
• Advice for Future Corpses (and Those Who Love Them) Sallie TisdaleA practical, funny guide to accepting death as part of life. Find the book
• Gone From My Sight Barbara Karnes, RNShort guidebooks for the dying and their caregivers from a hospice pioneer. Find the book
• Waiting for the Last Bus Richard HollowayPoetic reflections on mortality, grief and the end of life. Find the book
• On Death and Dying Elisabeth Kübler-RossThe classic that started a lot of these conversations. Find the book
• Being with Dying Joan HalifaxMindfulness-based approaches for caregivers and people facing death. Find the book
• It's OK That You're Not OK Megan DevineGrief with realism and compassion, minus the platitudes. Find the book
• A Beginner's Guide to the End BJ Miller and Shoshana BergerA practical handbook for the logistics and feelings of the end of life. Find the book
• The Five Invitations Frank OstaseskiWhat a Zen hospice founder learned about dying, and living. Find the book
• When Breath Becomes Air Paul KalanithiA neurosurgeon's memoir of facing terminal cancer. Find the book
• The Art of Dying Well Katy ButlerHow to prepare for a good death, from early aging to hospice. Find the book
• Grace in Dying Kathleen Dowling SinghThe spiritual side of the dying process. Find the book

Documentaries and channels worth your evening.

Documentaries

• Being Mortal PBS FrontlineDocumentary based on Atul Gawande's book about end-of-life care. Watch on YouTube
• Extremis NetflixShort documentary about end-of-life decisions in a hospital ICU. Watch on Netflix
• End Game Netflix, 201840 minutes with terminally ill patients and the palliative care teams working with them in San Francisco. Learn more
• A Will for the Woods DocumentaryAn award-winning film about the green burial movement. Learn more

YouTube channels

• Ask a Mortician Caitlin DoughtyA mortician answers the questions you were afraid to ask, with history and humor. Watch on YouTube
• What's Your Grief? YouTubeVideos on coping with grief, supporting others and understanding loss. Watch on YouTube
• Refuge in Grief Megan DevineTools and insight for living with grief. Watch on YouTube
• Death Over Dinner WebsiteGuides and videos for talking about death over a shared meal. Visit the site

Listen while you drive, walk or can't sleep.

• From ChristyDying to Ask with Christy B. Christy BraunThe questions people want to ask about death and dying, answered plainly. Listen
• The Green Burial Chronicles Morgan Oaks Eternal PreserveGreen burial, its environmental side, and the stories people leave behind. Listen on Podbean
• End-of-Life University Karen Wyatt, MDPodcasts and writing on grief, spirituality and end-of-life wisdom. Listen
• Christy as a guest Christy BraunOther shows Christy has joined to talk about death, grief and end-of-life care. See the episodes

Green burial, planning help and people we trust.

Green burial and human composting

• Green Burial Council DirectoryStandards for green burial and a way to find certified providers. Find a provider
• Recompose Seattle, serves nationallyA green funeral home specializing in human composting, which turns a body into soil. Visit Recompose
• Return Home Human compostingA green funeral home offering terramation, or human composting. Visit Return Home
• Earth Funeral Human compostingSoil transformation as an alternative to cremation, with online pricing. Visit Earth Funeral

Planning and paperwork

• Advance Directive Workbook Compassion & ChoicesA workbook to get your advance directive started. Get the workbook
• The Conversation Project Conversation guidesFree guides for talking about your wishes for end-of-life care. Get the guides
• Funeral Consumers Alliance NonprofitAdvocates for affordable funerals and helps you know your options. Visit the site
• Home Funeral Alliance NonprofitEducation for families who want to care for their own dead at home. Visit the site

Local practitioners

• Heather Johnston, Sapphire Law Group Estate planningComplex estate planning, business succession and property tax planning. Visit Sapphire Law
• Irish Chapman, Healing Wings Energy healing and sound meditationEnergy healing and sound meditation sessions. Visit Healing Wings
• Erin Alexander, Wild Temple Spiritual Center Yoga therapyCertified yoga therapist specializing in post-traumatic somatic therapy. Visit Wild Temple
• Center for Loss and Life Transition Grief educationBooks and insight on grief and mourning. Visit the site

Short, printable guides from Christy.

• From ChristyEulogy Guide Free guideHow to write and give a eulogy. Download
• From ChristyThe First 60 Minutes of Advance Planning Free guideWhere to start on your end-of-life plan. Download
• From ChristyHow the Body Shuts Down Free guideWhat happens physically as a person progresses toward death. Download
• From ChristyNavigating the Final Stages Free guideUnderstanding the body's transition at the end of life. Download

• Nov 9 Placer County Death CaféMon · 6:00 PM · Loomis Library, 6050 Library Dr, Loomis Free Save a seat
• Nov 19 Virtual Death CaféThu · 11:00 AM Pacific · Online on Zoom Free Save a seat
• Dec 3 Virtual Death CaféThu · 11:00 AM Pacific · Online on Zoom Free Save a seat
• Dec 14 Placer County Death CaféMon · 6:00 PM · Loomis Library, 6050 Library Dr, Loomis Free Save a seat
• Dec 17 Virtual Death CaféThu · 11:00 AM Pacific · Online on Zoom Free Save a seat

"There are no living experts on death."

A Different Death is hosted by Christy Braun, an end-of-life doula in Placer County, California. Meet Christy

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