Before the Casket empowers you to advocate for yourself and find peace.
Educate • Facilitate • Support
We do WHAT?
Medical education for end-of-life planning
Seminars for difficult conversations
Personalized nurse support
We believe that, by facilitating conversations with loved ones about these important topics, we can help individuals make informed decisions and ensure their wishes are respected.
WHY: Before the Casket empowers you to advocate for yourself and find peace.
HOW: Educating and facilitating conversations
WHAT: Sips & Wishes - a relaxed, interactive workshop presented by nurses for a non-medical audience to learn about medical treatments for documenting your end-of-life wishes.
Death Essentials: Skills you shouldn't learn on the floor - a workshop presented by nurses for medical professionals.
Compassionate Conversations - seminars presented by nurses for medical professionals.
Comfort Compass - personalized support from a nurse advisor
4 Reasons Why
Normalize Death
Is it hard to talk with your parents or kids about death? Has a friend told you about the guilt and second-guessing they do because they had to decide if they should put a feeding tube in their mom? Do you freeze when your patient says, "I'm done"? Our culture hides death, and many healthcare professionals see death as failure. Luckily for you, you have found two nurses who want to help with these difficult conversations. We want to explain what it means to “do everything” to “save” a life.
Comprehensive & Humanized Health Care Information
Real medical equipment is shared to demystify the tools. Medical treatments and their purpose are discussed. Real stories are shared to help the information sink in. Sharing personal experiences isn't just for the presenters, but the participants, too. We want to hear your stories. And ask any "taboo" question. Learning about the sequence and side effects of these medical treatments and interventions helps you make educated decisions about what you want for your body.
Proven Strategy, Highly-Effective Education
All of the curriculum is purposeful and designed by Master's prepared educators. You are encouraged to ask questions and engage in thoughtful discussions. Participants report feeling energized, comforted, and empowered following the workshop.
Innovative, One-of-a-Kind Solution to a Selfless Act
With this unique education, you have the chance to discover your wishes and amplify your voice. It's expected that your loved ones will experience grief when you're gone. Before the Casket offers a solution to the guilt of not knowing what you want. Please do this for them.
Sips & Wishes
Join our relaxed and interactive workshop presented by nurses, where non-medical people can learn about medical treatments and the importance of documenting end-of-life decisions. Gain valuable knowledge and tools to advocate for yourself and have meaningful conversations with your loved ones. Our experienced nurses will guide you through the process, ensuring that you feel empowered and informed about your options. The exclusive workbook allows you to take notes during the workshop, then helps guide the conversation with your loved ones, ensuring that your wishes are understood and respected. Document your wishes in our custom Preferences Packet.
Comfort Compass
Take advantage of our personalized support from a nurse advisor. Where compassion meets expertise. Collaborative consultations tailored to your unique needs. Whether you need assistance in making medical decisions, navigating healthcare systems, brainstorming, advocacy, or simply someone to talk to, Comfort Compass is direct access to a nurse. Always using a holistic approach, this service is available as a one-time session or ongoing basis in-person or virtual. Acute emergency support is also available.
Compassionate Conversations
Seminars presented by nurses for medical professionals
- Navigating end-of-life discussions with patients and loved ones (1 contact hour)
- Culture: What questions should you ask? (1 contact hour)
- Self-reflection & grief: Where are you? Because you take that to the bedside (1 contact hour)
- Hospice 101: But I don't work in hospice! (1 or 2 contact hours)
- From ER nurse to death advocate (1 contact hour)
Death Essentials: Skills you shouldn't learn on the floor
A one-day workshop presented by nurses for medical professionals
Join our transformative workshop to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care with grace and empathy. Discover the power of emotional intelligence at the bedside, explore the nuances between palliative care and hospice, and master the art of meaningful end-of-life conversations. Gain insight into the dying process, delve into self-reflection and grief, and equip yourself with essential conversation techniques for profound connections. (6.5 contact hours)
Amy Hensley
Chief Operations Director
How I define myself
mama bear, supportive friend, oldest daughter and sister, compassionate hospice nurse, movie lover, former graphic designer, passionate human, social introvert
I haven't always...
I haven’t always been my true authentic self. I’ve had to find my voice and the strength to use it. It takes practice, but I keep trying!
My values...
My values: honesty, courage, authenticity
My catchphrase: from uncomfortable comes change
My strengths: harmony, discipline, consistency, connectedness, relator
Wherever you are, I want to help move you one notch more comfortable and empower you to advocate for yourself.
Bio
I was a graphic designer for nearly twenty years before I went to nursing school. While I worked at a critical access hospital doing everything from birth to death, I got my MSN and then started teaching. During my teaching career, I found my voice and encouraged students to find their voice. Realizing that my passions include end-of-life guided me to become a hospice nurse and end-of-life educator. We all bring to the table our experiences, viewpoints, concerns, biases, and expectations. Giving grace to myself and those around me has helped me have uncomfortable conversations with humor, awareness and understanding. I'm becoming more comfortable with asking for what I want.
How I see Erin
quick thinker, thoughtful, includer, kind, creative, extrovert, shorter than me, visionary, hockey mom, feather-ruffler, mountain climber
Erin Putney
Chief Strategist
How I define myself
energetic creative, passionate educator, honest conversationalist, proud mom, chill paddleboarder, artistic thinker, former ICU nurse, loving daughter
I haven't always...
I haven’t always taken the path that was expected. But through a variety of roads, I’ve been able to develop a skillset of advocacy, resilience, and honesty.
My values...
My values: integrity, connection, joy
My catchphrase: thinkers save lives, including your own
My strengths: WOO, strategic, ideation, empathy, activator
I want to help guide your curiosity and explore your questions with creativity to make the best choices, whatever the situation.
Bio
I love the science behind nursing and even wanted to be a science teacher at one point. I’ve worked in different areas as a nurse, but realize the common thread is having the curiosity to solve problems with data and creativity. While I was an oncology nurse and worked in Trauma ICU, I saw patients and families experience unnecessary guilt because they hadn’t had end-of-life conversations. My master’s research focused on effective end-of-life education for nursing students, which has been adapted into a workshop for various audiences. My passion is giving everyone the tools needed to cope and be successful. Check out my website: www.teachingcourage.com
How I see Amy
movie star (ask me why), passionate, dedicated, organized, advocate, caring, powerful, good laugh, boy mom, strong, determined, beach lover
Why we're good together
We each bring different traits, strengths, viewpoints, and needs to Before the Casket. We laugh and drink on the deck, letting those we love interrupt and add to our story. We commiserate and share the joys of motherhood. We can say scary thoughts out loud and cry without judgment. We collaborate and brainstorm constantly. When one is down, the other sits and provides a safe space. We're growing individually and together.
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