​I recently had the honor of speaking with creative genius, artist and scholar Dr. Fahamu Pecou about his Do or Die: Affect, Ritual and Resistance exhibit. We also discussed his spiritual views on death and dying  while exploring his personal experiences with grief. 

​TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to join forces with Little Miss Funeral to celebrate both of our special days (hers being March 10th #teampices) with our 12 Days of Birthday Giveaways. 

We have 12 wonderful prizes to give away and in order to win all you have to do is follow three simple rules:

1. Subscribe to both Little Miss Funeral and my YouTube channels
2. Like the video of the day 
3. Comment with your response to the question of the day

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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​We live in the age of technology and artificial intelligence.  Technological advancements have benefited the funeral service and death care industries in many miraculous ways. With these advancements comes the potential  for the way we think of and experience death and grief to change drastically. What are the boundaries and limitations for technology and artificial intelligence for the grieving and those providing them with products and services?

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Michael C. Carlos Museum here in Atlanta, Georgia. While there I experienced the Do or Die: Affect, Ritual and Resistance Exhibit created by the amazing artist Dr. Fahamu Pecou. I also had the opportunity to view and learn about ancient and sacred funerary relics and other artifacts from around the world. This was truly an amazing experience. It is my prayer that by sharing this video you will be inspired to get out and explore the arts and history around you. To learn more about Michael C. Carlos Museum visit http://carlos.emory.edu/ To Learn more about Dr. Pecou visit www.fahamupecouart.com Thank you for watching.

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If you knew that you were going to pass away exactly one hour from now what would you want to tell your loved ones? What would be the most important things for them to know? Would you have enough time to communicate with everyone that you need to? Luckily, many of us will never be faced with this extreme BUT from a funeral planning perspective there are 4 Important Things That You Must Tell Your Loved Ones Before You Die.

1. What You Want Done With Your Body

Give some thought to what it is that you want done with your body when you pass away.  Choosing a method of memorial or disposition that truly reflects the essence of who you are in a unique and creative way are there endless. There are so many options available ranging from traditional burial, burial at sea, becoming a part of the coral reef to burial in space and much much more.  Having a clear direction or idea of what it is that you want will make the funeral planning process much more peaceful for your loved ones. Planning ahead and making your arrangements yourself would be the greatest act of love that you can give them.

 
2. Where to Find Your Life Insurance Policy and Other Vital Documents
 
Upon your death, your loved ones will be responsible for taking on a variety of financial responsibilities starting with your funeral and chosen method of disposition. Knowing exactly where to find vital documents will make this process less stressful and painful for them. Clearly communicate the location of any and all important policies, deeds, and other documents with someone that you trust. Also keep in mind that someone will be responsible for filing your taxes. To learn more please take a minute to watch the following videos:
 
Death and Taxes: http://www.thegravewoman.com/blog/death-taxes-with-erica-booth
Claiming Employer Life Insurance Benefits: http://www.thegravewoman.com/blog/4-steps-to-confirming-life-insurance-benefits-with-your-employer6068976
3 Things to Consider before You Die: http://www.thegravewoman.com/blog/3-things-that-every-family-needs-to-seriously-consider-before-someone-dies
 
3. How to Continue Your Legacy
 
We all want to be remembered for something and in some special way. Spend some time thinking about and be sure to communicate verbally and in writing how you want your family and close loved ones to carry on your memory.Are there any holiday traditions, family gatherings, trips, or other events or special activities that you want to see carried out or charitable contributions made to in your honor?
 
4. What to do with Your Belongings?
 
Ensuring that your estate is properly handled and your belongings, whether monetary or physical, are distributed according to your wishes can only be done if you take control now and make it happen on paper. Outlining what you want in the form of a will and designating an executor or administrator to ensure your final wishes are fulfilled ahead of time can save your loved ones, money, time and energy and also help in avoiding conflict and disagreement.
 
To learn more take time check out this blog http://www.thegravewoman.com/blog/3-consequences-of-not-planning-for-death-what-we-can-learn-from-aretha-franklin-the-queen-of-soul
 
I’d love to hear from you! What do you think are the 4 Most Important Things You Must Tell Your Loved Ones before You Die as far as final wishes are concerned?

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

Lego Movie 2 is the charming sequel of the Lego movie franchise.  In this week installment of Death at the Movies, we explore the grief experienced when we lose ourselves to relationships, situations, pending circumstances and our environment.