10/19/2026
Not sponsored by AFP but a great local program on all aspects of end of life. Educational and supportive. Registration preferred and optional donation to keep this annual program going. ( it is not a religious program but religious topics may certainly be touched on. See below re topics and speakers)
https://www.stjohnsnorthampton.org/product/from-dust-to-dust-surrounding-death-with-care/5
Dust to Dust: Surrounding Death with Care
Sunday, November 1st, 1-5pm
Our third annual Dust to Dust gathering will be held on All Saints Sunday, November 1st, from 1-5pm. This program is an opportunity to gather in community and talk about end-of-life questions and logistics in a supportive and caring environment. We invite you to attend for yourself, for your loved ones, and for your community. Read below to see this year's workshop offerings, and visit the church website to register.
Spiritual Matters: Planning Your Funeral, Memorial Service, or Celebration of Life
Rev. Anna Woofenden, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Pastor Sarah Buteux, lead pastor of First Churches of Northampton
In this workshop we will talk together why one may want to plan their memorial service in advance and how that can be a gift for loved ones. We will go over the many different ways that memorial gatherings can look, think through together what is important to you, and provide you with planning forms you can complete and put in your files.
How to Say Goodbye
Liz Short, LICSW, Geriatric Clinical Social Worker and Death Doula
This interactive workshop explores the intersection of social work practice and death doula care in supporting individuals and families through the end-of-life journey. Participants will learn holistic approaches and resources for emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual support, emphasizing dignity, empowerment, and compassionate presence during life’s final stages.
Understanding Advance Directives: A Conversation
Kate Atkinson, M.D., Atkinson Family Practice
Learn practical guidance on creating and discussing advance directives to ensure that healthcare wishes are honored. Led by local physician and primary care advocate, participants will gain insight into medical decision-making, communication with care teams, and how to document preferences for future end of life care with clarity and confidence.
What Is Palliative vs. Hospice Care?
Kemper Carlson, BSN, RN Clinical Director & Director of Outreach Hospice of the Fisher Home
What’s the difference between palliative care and hospice—and when might each be appropriate? Join Kemper who will offer an informative and approachable presentation exploring the similarities and differences between these two types of supportive care. We’ll learn what each service provides, who can benefit, when they can be accessed, and how they can help patients and families navigate serious illness and the end of life.
May Our Memory Be a Blessing: Legacy and Continuing Bonds
Emily Eliot Miller, M.A., M.F.A, Death Educator and End-of-Life Doula
This workshop is an invitation to reflect on how we honor our beloved dead and how we wish to be remembered after we die. This conversation will allow our tender experiences with death and grief to inspire strategies for living meaningful lives as future ancestors. Emily will share creative examples of memorial arts and legacy, and we will discuss the gifts and opportunities that endure beyond the deaths of our loved ones.
Legal Matters: Wills, Power of Attorney, and Legacy Giving
Jeff Lindequist, Esq., experienced in elder law & estate planning
Planning for the end of life isn’t just about what happens after we die—it’s about making sure our wishes, values, and loved ones are cared for along the way. Local attorney Jeffrey Lindequist will offer a practical and accessible workshop on estate planning and wills, covering the essential documents everyone should consider and the decisions that can make things easier for those we leave behind. Come with your questions and leave with a clearer understanding of how to put your affairs in order.
From Dust to Dust: Surrounding Death with CareSunday, November 1st, from 1-5pmSt. John’s Episcopal ChurchCome together in a supportive environment to learn more about what one might encounter around the end of life. Workshops on hospice care, memorial service planning, creating your will, grief, a...
