Most people I know don’t want to think or talk about death. However, death is the one thing in life that we can count on. Why is the subject so taboo especially here in America?
Today I spoke with Gary Wederspahn who is on the board of Final Exit Network (“FEN” as he calls it). I reached out to him to learn about how he became involved with FEN. Gary said he spent the 1960’s and 70’s overseas serving as a Peace Corps Director in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Ecuador and also traveled in over 20 countries.
Due to his cross cultural experiences and life oversees, Gary observed many end of life rituals and traditions that normalized death and gave joy to both life and death. Upon his re entry to the United States, he was shocked at that contrast.
Gary has written a book and many articles on cross cultural communiations as well as end of life rituals and traditions. He is now 84 years old and lives in Minnesota. He welcomes discussion around end of life and right to die. He also wants to reduce fear by having agency and resources.
Check out some of these resources to educate yourself and maybe even invite discussion.
Home
https://www.thegooddeathsocietyblog.net/
End of life University https://www.eoluniversity.com
Aging with Advocacy, LLC 