Speaking of Dying Film

Fear of dying is most often fear of the unknown. Because of this fear, far too many of us die in ways we would not wish to — often in ICUs, tethered to feeding tubes, in intolerable pain, or unconscious and unable to say a meaningful goodbye to our life and those we care about. Dying well is another option.

The film demonstrates the value of end of life planning and dying well. The film Speaking of Dying is meant to change this pattern by shining a bright light on death. In so doing, it offers us a pathway to a better ending. The film is one piece of a growing cultural awareness that all of us need to pay attention to our choices and wishes before there’s a crisis.

The 30-minute documentary captures the voices and stories of people becoming comfortable speaking of dying. Many of those you will meet in the film have overcome their fears and found comfort through their participation in the pioneering, community-based workshops of chaplain Trudy James and her Heartwork partners. You will also meet medical professionals who speak candidly about the importance of planning and discussing your plans with others.

The interviews and stories in the film reveal the complexities of end-of-life choices in today’s medical environment, while also demonstrating resources and attitudes that can empower us. You will discover that dying well is possible. We have more control over where and how we die than we may think. Good and peaceful endings are possible — if we can speak openly about dying.

Buy the DVD

Purchasing the Speaking of Dying DVDOver 2,800 DVDs of the film have been sold: many in WA state, and in thirty other states. The DVD was remastered in November 2016, to include a closed caption option.

Purchasing the Speaking of Dying DVD allows you to watch the film in your own home or with a group. The DVD package includes a Resource Guide with suggestions for viewing in groups, tips on how to follow up the film, and sample questions for group discussion. Also included are a glossary of end-of-life resources and a list of possible life-sustaining treatments.

 

The DVD with accompanying Resource Guide is a great gift for family members and friends.

 

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About the Film Makers

Trudy JamesTrudy James produced this film in collaboration with Jennifer Jones. Together they created the original concept for the documentary film, Speaking of Dying, based on the end of life Workshop series Trudy had been pioneering for several years. Over a two year period they developed the project and made the film. Jennifer Jones served as the Director and the Videographer of the film. As Executive Producer, Trudy James named the film and raised over $80,000 to fund the film and website. Other film principals included, Catherine Wadley, Writer/Editor, Catherine Joy, Original Music Composer, Len Delorey and Scot Charles, Sound Design & Editing, and Scot Charles, Sound Mixing.

Trudy, a retired interfaith hospital chaplain, learned hands-on about death, dying and grief in her 50’s while creating a CareTeam program for faith-based volunteers in the early days of the AIDS epidemic in Arkansas. Her ground-breaking CareTeam work with AIDS was honored at the Clinton White House. Nine years later, Trudy created an AIDS Care Team program in Seattle and served as a chaplain at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Throughout her career, Trudy witnessed how being able to speak freely and openly about dying led to better deaths. Trudy is a regional resource on grief, death and dying and is on the Advisory Board for End of Life Washington.

Upon retirement, Trudy created Heartwork, a business with a vision to empower people to die well. She spent four years pioneering 4-session community-based end-of-life planning workshops. She then spent two years producing the 30-minute film, Speaking of Dying, which reflects the heart of those workshops. Trudy has personally trained Heartwork facilitators to carry on her vision.

“I was deeply touched by your wonderful film when I saw it at the screening at Interfaith Community Sanctuary & School. Thank you for your work empowering people to create the end of life they wish. It was clear from the film that this not only helps the individual but is a huge gift to friends and family as well (no guessing about what the loved one wants).”

– John Malcolmson

 

“I really enjoyed the personal stories told by the film, as well as the commentary of the experts on our society’s attitudes about death and dying — how it is basically a taboo subject that no one wants to discuss until it is too late. Speaking of Dying deals with a most difficult subject in an approachable and non-threatening way, it is actually an affirmation of life rather than a grim reminder of death.”

– A Viewer

“Trudy James ‘walks the talk’, meaning she has worked for many years with persons in the dying process. Trudy is also the most engaging, lively, entertaining, efficient group facilitator that I have had the pleasure of learning from !!!”

— Donna Crews Finney

Donors and Sponsors

Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who made this film possible, and continue to promote the work, including:

Seattle Healing Arts | Seattle First Baptist Church | Acacia / Dignity Memorial | The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia | Companis Judy Pigott (Personal Safety Nets) | With a Little Help | Mercer Island Rotary Club | Foss Home and Village | John Eric Rolfstad | Fred Davis and Harriet Platts | Chris and Martha Thompson | Rev. Debra Jarvis & Dr. Wes Van Voorhis | Sound Associates | Jennifer Kropack | Holly Boone - Louis Hafermehl | Floyd Jones | Harriet Platts | Michael A. Ramey | Jane Spalding | Elsa Bowman | Jay and Sara Bremyer | Stephen Carstens | Beverly Coco | Roy Hamrick | Vince Larkin | John and Christi Mahon | Lynn Behar | Nancy Blasé | Frederick Davis | Dee Dickinson | Mary Montgomery | People’s Memorial Association | A.J. Rathbun | Tyler Thompson