Death is a universal event that transcends many of the differences between us, but it's not something that we have regular opportunities to think and talk about. Oregon Humanities developed the Talking About Dying program to create more public opportunities to reflect on the stories and influences that shape our thinking about death and dying and to hear perspectives and ideas from fellow community members. During the program, participants talk together about questions such as, What do we want—and not want—at the end of our life? How might our family, culture, religion, and beliefs shape how we think about death? How do access to care, geography, and desires to be remembered affect our decisions about the end of our life? Facilitators of Talking about Dying programs are trained professionals working in the fields of chaplaincy, counseling, gerontology, facilitation, and hospice care around Oregon.

This Conversation Project will be facilitated by Andrea Cano, a hospital chaplain who believes that people approach the theme of death better if they talk about their life, reflect on beginnings, the family and what’s important to them.

OLLI-UO is pleased to partner with Oregon Humanities on this session, which is free and open to the public.