CFD Death Café with Presentation

Advance Directives and Why Everyone Needs Them with Laurie Schwartz

This July our Death Café will be preceded by a brief presentation with Q/A on “Advanced Directives and Why Everyone Needs Them” with Laurie Schwartz.

“Advance care planning is not just about old age. At any age, a medical crisis could leave you too ill to make your own healthcare decisions. Even if you are not sick now, planning for health care in the future is an important step toward making sure you get the medical care you would want, if you are unable to speak for yourself and doctors and family members are making the decisions for you. ” National Institute of Aging, 2019

At Death Café, the aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. At a CFD Death Café, each conversation is preceded with a brief presentation to expand our understanding of different topics related to dying and death.

The Circle of Friends Death Café has no theme and is not a grief support group. Come mingle and enjoy our cakes, coffee, and tea. No fee, though donations for future Death Cafés are greatly appreciated. All are welcome.

Laurie Schwartz is one of the early leaders of the Hospice movement in the United States. In 1979, she co-founded and directed what is now Hudson Valley Hospice in Ulster and Dutchess Counties, NY. In 1995 Laurie was recognized by Hospice as a dynamic visionary and social activist, and again in 2018 for her commitment and service to the community. She has trained hundreds of people in the arena of dying, death, and bereavement through Hospice’s volunteer training program and through Securelanding programs. In 2012, Laurie co-founded Circle of Friends for the Dying (CFD), which is establishing a Home for people with 3 months or less to live. Laurie has been facilitating CFD Death Cafes since 2012, is presently serving on the Board of Directors of Circle of Friends for the Dying, and privately assists people with their end-of-life directives.