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Gail Rubin
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A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die Paperback – November 30, 2010

by Gail Rubin (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
See all formats and editions
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A GOOD GOODBYE: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die provides the information, inspiration and tools to plan and implement creative, meaningful and memorable end-of-life rituals for people and pets. Just as talking about sex won't make you pregnant, talking about funerals won't make you dead - and your family will benefit from the conversation. Learn how to save money, reduce family conflict, and avoid stress at a time of grief.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    228 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Light Tree Press, LLC
  4. Publication date
    November 30, 2010
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.48 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0984596208
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0984596201
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Praise for A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die

"A Good Goodbye thoroughly and impressively covers so much that families need to know about funeral planning. It's such a valuable resource, we have several copies in our library as a reference book for those we serve."
Chester French Stewart, Chairman,
French Funerals-Cremations and the French Family of Companies
Albuquerque, New Mexico

"With grace, humor, honesty, and skill, Gail Rubin shines a light on a subject that we, as a society, prefer to keep in the dark. Sooner or later, we will all need the information in A Good Goodbye, a highly readable, entertaining, and informative book."
Jillian Brasch, author, The Last Gifts

"Gail Rubin takes on society's last taboo in a readable, practical manner with a light touch. It's a great read for anyone who isn't sure about this 'death thing' and how to best prepare for it."
Joe Sehee, Executive Director, Green Burial Council

"Kudos to Gail Rubin for pointing out the blue elephant in the corner. The earlier we can engage each other in end-of-life conversations, the better our chances for ending our lives the same way we lived them - with grace, and intent. This book is filled to the brim with material to inspire those conversations."
Alexandra Drane, Co-Founder of Engage With Grace
and President of Eliza Corporation

"Gail Rubin is on a mission to demystify death care. This book represents the highest and best use of her experience and depth of knowledge on planning the ultimate in an end-of-life event, formerly known as a funeral."
Brian J. Hanner CT, CPC, CFSP
Geib Funeral Homes, Crematories & Remembrance Centers
Dover & New Philadelphia, Ohio

"A Good Goodbye has 'heart sense' in its how-to information that's vitally needed before there's a death in the family. Gail Rubin helps us face the thought of our death and better appreciate the reality of life."
Thelma Domenici, Etiquette Advice Columnist,
The Albuquerque Journal

From the Back Cover

DON'T PLAN TO DIE?
We plan our finances, our families, our retirement, just about everything except our funerals. Without end-of-life planning, life's other plans can come undone.

A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die shows you how to:
  • Create a meaningful, memorable send-off.
  • Avoid stress at a time of grief.
  • Save thousands of dollars.
  • Reduce family conflict.
  • Incorporate funeral traditions for major faiths.
  • Utilize new trends like green burial, at-home services, and funeral webcasting.
  • Prepare advance directives, obituaries, eulogies, ethical wills, condolence cards, and thank you notes.
  • Hold a pet funeral.
  • And much more!
Start the conversation today!

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Light Tree Press, LLC (November 30, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0984596208
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0984596201
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.48 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

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Gail Rubin

Gail Rubin

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Gail Rubin, CT, is the author of the award-winning books A GOOD GOODBYE: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die; KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die; and HAIL AND FAREWELL: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips.

She is a death educator who uses funny films to help start serious conversations. Gail is a pioneer of the Death Cafe movement in the U.S. and is a Certified Funeral Celebrant. In addition to her books, she contributes articles to funeral trade magazines and writes The Family Plot Blog. She is a breast cancer survivor, a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA).

Earlier in her writing career, she wrote A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout: Reflections on Dating and Fly-Fishing. The book was a winner in the Humor Category of the 2004 Book of the Year Award.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
49 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Cindy
5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Informative
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2011
Verified Purchase
Excellent! If you are searching for a meaningful, emotionally healing and even empowering way to deal with death and the ceremony of funeral (either your own or someone you love) this book will both inform you as to 'what else is out there and is possible' and challenge you to both take charge and embrace this very personal journey we all must face in our lives. If you gota go (and let's face it, we all do at some point - its not 'if I die', its 'when'), why not have something that truly reflects and even celebrates who you/your loved one are/is and helps your family find comfort.

The only option left out is that of using a celebrant to personalize the ceremony and make it about the person's life.  Weddings, Funerals and Rites of Passage: Sample Ceremonies For Celebrants, Officiants and Ministers . Big in Australia, New Zeland but just catching on in the U.S.

Thank you Gail for this very comprehensive guide and for being one of a number of voices who are 'starting the conversation' surrounding the last taboo in American culture.
One person found this helpful
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DJ Christensen
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book answered many questions I'd never thought to ask. It also helped me realize what I can still do as divorced person with no children or siblings if I were to die tomorrow and be at peace with that. Also helped me to consider how to write my will if I am married with family at a future time. The Book is thoughtful, respectful, and most of all, readable. It takes the mystery out of an uncomfortable subject and makes the process of choosing options possible. I no longer fear this aspect of my future!
One person found this helpful
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Bruce Wadd
4.0 out of 5 stars A functional and comprehensive outline
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book covers a broad spectrum of the things required to make a 'Good Goodbye' to this world possible. A tad tedious at times, by nature of its lists, one could skip sections not relevant and continue on to those that suited an individual not living in the USA. Thanks for the research... has saved much time!
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Paula Tenz
5.0 out of 5 stars What to know, what to ask, and what to plan when you need to think about funerals.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is chock full of information and the steps you need to take to plan your or a love one's funeral. All told with a light manner. Everyone who wants to plan or start that difficult conversation with family could not do better than having this book!!
One person found this helpful
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Treese
5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Researched Effort
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
This Book really helped me through the entire Pre-Planning of the eventuality that we all must one day face. The many creative suggestions helped me expand my mind and think of matters quite differently than I had previously. Tradition is respected, but the variety and alternatives proposed actually lightened the mood quite a bit during the planning of each different phase. Left me with a very satisfied feeling, and a sense of having done something of great benefit for those who will be left behind, so they won't have to.
3 people found this helpful
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Doug Swift
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
Well written with humor. Covers the topic very well from both the perspective the those who will die as well as those who survive and must make arrangements for funeral/memorial service and all the work as personal representative of the deceased.
One person found this helpful
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Wm. Eric Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars best for all involved to be truly prepared especially on ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
Face it we are all going to die someday... best for all involved to be truly prepared especially on our own terms. This is a true treasure for doing just that. A Pleasure to read.
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Chris Lewis
4.0 out of 5 stars Actually a good book
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2013
Verified Purchase
It describes the various choices available and yes there are more options than spending a huge amount of money at a funeral home.
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Top reviews from other countries

Balint Bartha
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
Bought it for a friend.
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