SendOff – Funerals Reimagined

We're looking forward to this upcoming, informational session on new tools that can be used in end-of-life planning, hosted by the Minnesota Death Collaborative on May 8. Join SendOff founder Kelly Roberts, Director of Operations Megan Povlitzki, and Thanacare COO Sam Madison to learn more about innovative ways we're improving the EOL experience. This presentation will be held on Zoom. You do not have to be a member of the Minnesota Death Collaborative to attend. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ehAYesvi

We're always so energized by meeting like-minded folks in the deathcare community. We have a lot to learn from each other and invaluable experience to share. SendOff was both a sponsor and exhibitor at the Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care conference this week, where we met dozens of nurses, social workers, chaplains, death doulas, and hospice care professionals with one thing in common — a fiery passion to improve the end-of-life experience.

After experiencing significant loss during her childhood, Megan found herself naturally gravitating toward grief and death and supporting others who were navigating their own end-of-life journey. Now, a practicing death doula working toward a degree in mortuary science, Megan (Director of Operations at SendOff) talks about her frustrations with the deathcare industry — and how those frustrations inspired her to change it from the inside out. Read our new blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gT-mWehf #celebrationsoflife #funeralplanning #endoflifeplanning #transformdeathcare #deathdoula

"There were definitely tears, but there was so much joy and so much laughter that I'll never forget that day." After Cheryl Hauser's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, she reached out to SendOff to start planning her end-of-life arrangements. In this video, her daughters Sarah and Wendy share the value in pre-planning their mother's unique celebration of life, discuss their experience in working with the SendOff team, and more. #uniquefunerals #celebrationoflife #funeralplanning #endoflifeplanning

The Star Tribune Editorial Board published an editorial this week (link below 👇) urging Minnesota legislators to legalize national organic reduction, also known as human composting. Read the full editorial: https://lnkd.in/g9BtzydY In reviewing the comments, we can see that one major misconception about natural organic reduction (NOR) is that it's the same thing as green burial. Green burial is already legal here in Minnesota and a handful of cemeteries offer this option. As a licensed funeral provider in Minnesota, we support the legalization of NOR in Minnesota! Our own Director of Operations, Megan Povlitzki, is on the NOR Action Team, which has spearheaded efforts to make NOR legal and give Minnesotans more eco-friendly end-of-life alternatives. #humancomposting #naturalorganicreduction #greendeathcare

The Minnesota Senate held a hearing last week to discuss the legalization of natural organic reduction (NOR) in Minnesota. The bill has passed through the Senate committee, which means we're one step closer to legalizing human composting in our state. 👏👏👏 SendOff fully supports NOR in Minnesota, and we're excited to see forward momentum as a result of efforts and advocacy of the NOR Action Team (pictured here). From last week's hearing: "Consumer needs are changing, and we are seeing a greater demand for eco-friendly and personalized burial options. So this next generation of funeral service professionals must be equipped to accommodate these consumer demands by offering this options to Minnesota families. ... In our busy world, it would be another way to give Minnesotan's space to start their grief journey at their own pace and in their own way." – Janet McGee, member of the NOR action team If signed into law, Minnesota would be the 8th state to legalize NOR. To learn more about natural organic reduction and show your support, visit https://lnkd.in/etAizQh8.

Big thanks to Dr. Michael Madison, CEO & President of Thanacare, for his guest blog for SendOff. Thanacare offers a comprehensive registry for all essential end-of-life care documents, and because we're big advocates for pre-planning, they're one of the Sidekicks we admire most. Read more about how Thanacare makes advanced care planning easy and streamlines communication between healthcare professionals: https://lnkd.in/g7P84MfG #endoflifecare #advancecareplanning #makeiteasy

You didn't forget that it's National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day, did you? Say hi to Colby Voigt, Funeral Director at SendOffMN. He works closely with individuals and families to ensure they have the best experience possible while planning funeral and memorial arrangements. It takes a brain for science and a big, human-loving heart to do this work (truly, it's a must that you can offer compassionate and thoughtful guidance to living humans who are really goin' through it — that's 90% of the job). Another requirement Colby takes seriously? Being available 24/7. He answers the phone at 2 AM, leaves before the Christmas presents are opened, and steps into strangers' homes at all hours to provide immediate care and support. Colby says "My passion has always been working with people, and in this career, I feel like I can make a difference helping people when they're most vulnerable. My goal each day is to be the person I'd wish to have as an advocate if I were in their same situation." We appreciate you so much, Colby, and everything you do to help families across the Twin Cities. We raise a glass to you today! 🍻 #nationalfuneraldirectorsday #funeraldirectors #gratitude

Tomorrow, Colby Voigt from SendOff will be joining Rosie Gaston, MSW, LICSW, APHSW-C and Dawn VanCamp for a panel on death and dying. We'll discuss how to navigate difficult conversations on death and dying, end-of-life planning strategies and their importance, and moving forward with grief leading up to and after a significant loss. The panel discussion begins at 8:30 AM at Gable Pines in Vadnais Heights, MN. Please share if you know anyone who might benefit from learning more on these topics! #ABetterEnding #endoflifeplanning #endoflifecare #SendOff #celebrationoflife #palliativecaresocialworker 

March is Women’s History Month and we’re celebrating the prominent role women have played in hospice care. The modern-day hospice movement, born in the 1960s, sought to give patients more say in how they wanted to die. Over the years, it’s engaged thousands of doctors, nurses, clergy members, social workers, and volunteers, but it all started with these four women: Dame Cicely Saunders, Florence Wald, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and Zelda Foster. Women continue to be at the forefront of positive change in both hospice and deathcare communities, advocating for inclusive, human-centered systems, eco-friendly burial practices, death positivity, and more. To the women who are paving new pathways to a better death and a more sustainable future, our most heartfelt thank you. #marchiswomenshistorymonth #sendoffmn #hospicecare #dyingwithdignity