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Introducing Alaska End-of-Life Alliance

Welcome guest author Rachel Bernhardt.

Rachel is a cofounder and board member of the Alaska End-of-Life Alliance. After a decade of working as a tissue donation coordinator, Rachel dedicated her professional life to empowering Alaskans to receive the care they want at the end of life and after death.

Introducing Alaska End-of-Life Alliance

  1. Death is inevitable.
  2. Death is something to be feared and never spoken of.

These two things should not exist simultaneously, yet in our culture they somehow do. And that’s why Alaska End-of-Life Alliance was founded. While death is inevitable, we also believe that discussing issues around death and dying can help reduce fear and anxiety and even bring relief and joy.

Deathcare is something I wandered into accidentally and fell in love with. I find it profoundly rewarding and at times transcendental. I am always humbled to be a silent, behind-the-scenes part of someone’s life story. And death is a part of everyone’s life story. It is only because our time on this planet is short that our lives have meaning in the first place. Knowledge and normalizing conversations can go a long way in combating fear, and this has become a core tenant of our Mission. The Alaska End-of-Life Alliance is dedicated to educating, advocating, and supporting Alaskans in end-of-life care so they are informed and empowered.

In our first few years as an organization, we have developed a comprehensive (and ever-growing) list of Alaskan resources and providers. Part of knowing what you want is knowing what you have access to.

We have also promoted local Death Café events, where people can openly discuss death and end-of-life topics in a supportive environment. These gatherings aim to destigmatize and normalize conversations about death, helping to foster greater awareness and acceptance of end-of-life planning.

Connecting deathcare professionals and organizations is also an important part of the Alliance’s work to improve the way in which direct services are provided in the community, including supporting and increasing awareness about the ever-growing number of Death Doulas in Alaska.

Some of our public education work has involved hosting Advance Care Planning workshops for individuals and professionals so that they can feel confident completing this important paperwork, or to help others do so.

Ultimately, our work revolves around fostering collaboration between professionals, caregivers, and families, ensuring that individuals receive holistic care that respects their wishes. We want to build a compassionate community around end-of-life issues. By offering a diverse range of educational opportunities, the Alaska End-of-Life Alliance creates a community where end-of-life experiences are approached with compassion, understanding, and clarity. And I promise, we’re just getting started.

For more information, visit the Alaska End-of-Life Alliance website.

 

Alaska Wealth Advisors is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Alaska Wealth Advisors’ investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. Material presented has been derived from sources considered to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed.

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