Setting the Table for Life’s Most Important Conversations
On April 24th, something remarkable happened in TRU’s Louisville conference room. The ordinary meeting space was transformed into an intimate dining area where strangers became community through the simple act of sharing a meal and discussing one of life’s most avoided topics: death.
This special evening was the centerpiece of our recent **Get Around TRUit (GATI)** initiative, a month-long campaign hosted by The Conversation Project of Boulder County (TCPBC) that encouraged TRU employees and volunteers to engage with advance care planning.
More Than Just a Dinner
The Death Over Dinner event brought together a diverse group of TRU staff and volunteers from various roles and age groups. What united us was a shared willingness to explore the nuanced topics of death and dying within a supportive environment. The atmosphere struck a beautiful balance between depth and lightness—there were tears, plenty of laughter, and genuine moments of human connection.
TRU Palliative Care Social Worker Rebecca Cohen shared her reflection on the experience:
“Death Over Dinner was such a wonderful experience for so many reasons. The people were amazing; there was so much wisdom from multiple generations in the room. It was a gift to learn from others about death and dying in such a supportive, respectful, intimate setting. I appreciated the opportunity and sacred space for my own personal reflection and growth. I left with some real shifts in my ideas and beliefs. I also loved connecting in such a human, heart-centered way. There was a beautiful balance of laughter and tears. You and your team helped create a comfortable space for honesty and curiosity. What an incredible group. Thank you for offering this, and I hope many more people get to benefit from the experience in the future.”
The Power of Shared Stories
The evening reinforced what we at TCPBC have always believed: time spent at the table truly matters—especially when shared with people who are willing to show up, speak openly, and listen with care. Death Over Dinner was a beautiful reminder of the gift of hearing one another’s stories. It was time well spent.
Looking Forward
While the April Death Over Dinner event filled quickly, we’re excited to announce that TCPBC plans to host at least three of these gatherings each year. If you’re interested in participating in a future event, please reach out to Becki Parr, TCPBC Project Coordinator, at beckiparr@trucare.org.
More Than a One-Time Event
The Death Over Dinner event was part of our broader GATI initiative that ran from April 1st to May 1st, coinciding with National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th. Though the formal GATI initiative has concluded, the valuable advance care planning materials and free coaching options remain available year-round. To access these resources, visit theconversationprojectinboulder.org and click “Schedule a Free Appointment”
As Ellen Goodman, founder of The Conversation Project, reminds us, “It’s always too soon to start the conversation… until it’s too late.”
Death Over Dinner participants, pictured above
Standing (L-R): Ana Lamarque (volunteer), Laura Rhea (volunteer), Ashley Huck (PACE Home Care Coordinator), Janet Denny (volunteer), Abby Howard (volunteer), Connie Clancy (volunteer), Annyce Mayer (volunteer), Taryn Archer (Admissions Coordinator)
Seated (L-R): Rebecca Cohen (Palliative Care LCSW), Geoff Galbraith (volunteer), Cindy Forsblad (volunteer), Becki Parr (TCPBC Project Coordinator)
