On Wednesday, March 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Ruby Sisson Library will be the first meeting of wise, courageous, pragmatic, realistic, curious, responsible people who want to investigate and explore issues related to the practical side of death.
Since this is something that happens to everyone whether we want to acknowledge it or not, it is an important topic to face. It should be helpful to consider the information available before we or someone close to us must deal with it in a time of shock, grief, vulnerability and confusion.
Our first meeting will focus on increasing our level of comfort in investigating the topic. Then, the priority will be to explore what questions and issues are of concern to the group. We will also discuss what resources we can use to find answers to be presented at future meetings.
One issue of interest is the fact that there is no place in Archuleta County for green burials or local cremation. Our neighbor in the San Luis Valley, Crestone, offers a private cremation site where a family can privately cremate their loved one’s body with support and direction from the community. Also in Crestone is a green burial site. If that town, smaller than Pagosa, could accomplish having those options, we might be able to create something similar here.
We could discuss meeting with a funeral staff member before they are absolutely needed. Why wait until you or a loved one are at your weakest moment? Why not gather your questions and ask them at a time of strength and clarity? It would be valuable to know what kinds of choices need to be made.
There is an option, totally without cost to the family, for two different medical schools to pick up a body at the hospital, transport it, use it for medical science and then, several months later, return cremated remains to the family. This saves a lot of money and may contribute greatly to medical science.
In 2016, a Colorado End-Of-Life Options Act was passed, but local people implemented a way to keep medical practitioners from being able to practice this law in Pagosa. How does this work? What information is available? Should this be a viable option in Pagosa?
These are just a few ideas that might lead to discussion and future research. In addition, there are many helpful films available, especially on how other cultures are handling these issues.
I have no idea how this meeting is going to turn out, but there is strength in numbers, so we can work together to tackle this difficult subject, help our entire family feel closer and better prepared and perhaps help us to value the time we have left. If you can see the benefits, I hope you will join us.
