Alternate Endings Documentary and Home Funeral Demonstration

Join us for Hemlock Society of San Diego’s bimonthly Right to Die Film Series screening. This month includes a special home funeral demonstration after the film. No RSVP required!

Our August film selection is the documentary Alternate Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America. The film tells the stories of six people nearing death, and of family members of the recently deceased, who have chosen non-traditional end-of-life options and remembrances. It shows celebrations of life and living wakes, to green burials, extraterrestrial burials and more. Profoundly intimate and illuminating, the film explores what it means to be near death, either from age or terminal illness, and captures the healing power of honoring, giving thanks, and staying true to loved ones who have passed away.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube. If you are unable to attend in person, Alternate Endings is available to stream on Max or rent on Prime.

Are you curious about exploring ancestral death-care and experiencing creative ways to process grief?  Join our July presenters Penny Waugh and Tara Novak for an interactive mock home funeral complete with a body care demonstration, shrouding and grief releasing activities.

Death & dying aren’t popular topics in our culture, and this interactive experience is a great way to learn more about how our ancestors embraced death and dying.

Crafting a meaningful end-of-life experience is something that family and friends can participate in, it’s the way we used to care for our dead before the modern funeral industry became the standard. This interactive event is meant to explore our perception of death and go deeper into the meaning of how we care for our loved ones as a way to show respect and help us process our own grief.

FAQ’s

Q: Are home funerals legal in California?
A: Yes, they are. And, in CA you don’t need to hire a funeral director to hold a home funeral in your residence.

Q: Why would someone consider a home funeral?
A: The benefits of home funerals may be financial, therapeutic, and spiritual. People who choose to care for their own report a sense of completion, a feeling of having done their best for the deceased, and a stronger connection to their friends, family and community.

Q: Is there really going to be a shrouded corpse at this event?
A: Yes, but our corpse will only be acting dead.

Check out our list of past films here: https://www.hemlocksocietysandiego.org/past-movies-shown-at-our-hemlock-right-to-die-film-series/