The 2026 Demystifying Death Six-Week Course begins March 24th, 2026.
4:30pm-6:30pm EST, Thursdays
Please email Michelle Goble with any questions or you are interested in joining us in 2026.

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Course Syllabus

MATERIALS


Provided Items:

  • Copies of “Gone From My Sight” and “The Eleventh Hour” by Barbara Karnes, M.D.

  • The Five Wishes framework (advanced directives paperwork)

  • Dying Person’s Bill of Rights by David Kessler, Tennessee Advance Directives (or forms specific to the state where you reside) and organ donation information can easily be found online.

    Recommended reading: “Final Gifts, Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs and Communications of the Dying” by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley

    Provided items will be mailed to you or you may pick them up before the course begins.

COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

Completion of a death packet by each student that includes:

  • The Five Wishes (or your state advanced care directives)

  • Organ donation form

  • Create your epitaph

  • Identifying your personal funeral arrangements

  • Your death mind-map

  • Creating a “personal death ritual” 

  • Journal for reflection and questions for class discussions

    Student experiences with completing the packets will be presented at the last class.

    Attendance at all six sessions is required for certification. We also ask for active participation for this to be a meaningful course. We are all in this together!

CLASS SCHEDULE

Session 1: March 24th, 2026
Introduction to the Program (Welcome Home & Our Philosophy)
Hospice, Palliative Care, and Death Doulas
Sherry Campbell, LMSW and Terry Melvin, M.D.

This session will include participant introductions and what to expect from the course.
We will discuss the big taboo: why we don’t talk about death in our society and the “Dying Person’s Bill of Rights.”
End-of-life care packets will be discussed, including the Five Wishes, organ donation, creating your epitaph and your funeral arrangements. (Other items may be shared during the last session.)

We will explore the differences between hospice and palliative care, as well as the myths surrounding each, and ways to begin these difficult conversations and providing advocacy and education. A Death Doula will share information about this very important role.

Session 2:  March 31st, 2026
Planning for End of Life and Ethical Considerations
Bob Zylstra, LCSW, Ed.D

This session will include legal and ethical Issues, healthcare wishes, after death care and final arrangements. We will watch the film Extremis and have a discussion afterward.

Session 3: April 7th, 2026
Why It is Important to Plan
Amy Boulware, LAP, MSW

Crazy things can happen when you don’t have your affairs in order. Amy Boulware will share information about legal and financial issues, concerns related to death, and why it is important to prepare so you don’t leave your family in a bind! We will also share about “solo agers” and self care.

Session 4:  April 14th, 2026
Being Present
Rose Gordon, Spiritual Care and Bereavement Provider, Taos, New Mexico

It is important to keep a mind’s eye to a cultural perspective, that we all may have the same needs at the end of life- death, dying and grief look different through all cultures.

In this session, Rose helps us explore culture and diversity.

Session 5: April 21st, 2026
New Rules for End of Life Care by Barbara Karnes, RN, EOL Educator
Mind Mapping Your Death
Sherry Campbell, LMSW and Judith Pedersen-Benn

We will watch the highly informative video, “New Rules for End of Life Care.” We will discuss ways to support those with a life-threatening illness and their caregivers. We’ll will conclude with a discussion and a Q&A session.

Session 6: April 28th, 2026
Grief, After-Death Care, & Final Arrangements
Kim Adams, NEDA Board, NHFA Board, Omega Home Network

In this session, Kim will share information about home funerals and alternatives to traditional funeral arrangements.

We will learn aspects of grief and how to support those who are grieving and caring for ourselves.

For this final session, attendees will present their “end-of life-packets” and a post-test will be distributed for completion.

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Our Wonderful Sponsors

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