Wake Up to Dying Project

The Wake Up to Dying Project is an awareness and action campaign that encourages people to think and to talk about dying.  The organizers do this by gathering and sharing stories about death, dying, and life. They also do this through art and hands-on opportunities to explore these important subjects.



The organizers believe that if we consider this difficult subject more purposefully we will be more prepared, practically and emotionally, to face this shared human experience. We might find ourselves more willing to participate in the dying process of a loved one or a neighbor. We might even be less afraid to think about our own deaths.



One cool aspect of the Project is a traveling exhibit which will offer people a safe and engaging place to listen to personal stories about death, dying, and life.







Exhibit visitors will hear audio stories from over fifty individuals, including: (a) people who are dying, and their family members; (b) experts such as doctors, nurses, chaplains and those who work regularly with the dying; people with particular insights about the process of grieving a lost loved one.  The audio stories will be complemented by abstract video and contemplative hands-on activities.



The exhibit will be housed in a mobile unit that travels from community to community and stays in each location for five to ten days. By parking on ‘Main Street,’ we hope to encourage participation from a large cross section of a community.



When visitors leave the listening trailer they enter a tent where engagement opportunities are offered, including local volunteer work and community art projects. They will also be invited to record and share their own stories. The tent is designed to act as a community space for the duration of the exhibit, and will be offered to local organizations to host related workshops, trainings, panels, and films.