Welcome!
The When You Die team is thrilled to present the third and final film in the When You Die trilogy, Architecture of Death: The Inner World of Dying.
After popular demand we have decided to showcase the film again, this time with a Q&A with special guest Gabby Jimenez, the founder of The Hospice Heart
You will have access to stream the film from May 25th to June 2nd, 2024 with the Live Q&A being held via Zoom on June 1st, at 6pm EST.
The When You Die Project seeks to foster good conversations around death by de-mystifying the dying process. Understanding what happens when we die reduces our fear of death and helps to set the ground for healthy living, dying, and grieving. Just as the ancient contemplation of Memento Mori - remember you will die, and Memento Vivere - remember you must live - are two sides of the same coin. Learning about what happens emotionally, physically, and spiritually as we die can increase the well-being of everyone.
With insight and humor, these topics are explored with leading clinicians who have spent their careers at the bedside, researchers studying the nature of consciousness, and personal stories of love and loss. Discussing what happens when we die with curiosity and compassion allows death to become a more accessible part of life.
We believe it’s time for a death revolution and that the best way to start that revolution is simply by talking.
If you haven’t had a chance to watch the first two films, it’s not too late! They are available on our website:
To watch the first film in the When You Die Trilogy, Chapter 1: "In the Realm of Death & Dreaming", which asks the big questions: "What happens when you die? Does consciousness continue? Or is it lights out?" Please click here.
To watch the second film in the When You Die Trilogy, Chapter 2: ”Saying Goodbye: Preparing for Death”, which asks the tough questions: "What is a good death? Could we heal old emotional wounds? What quality of life is enough?" Please click here.
About the Film:
Director Johanna Lunn narrates this third chapter in the When You Die trilogy, which continues to address our mortality head on. She guides viewers through fear and into honest conversations about what really happens at the end of a person’s life. Architecture of Death: The Inner World of Dying seeks to answer: What happens as we are dying? What could the final months, weeks, and days of life look like for the person who is dying? And for the people who love them?
The film explores the physical aspect of dying, as well as the unseen felt experiences that can occur, such as: the changing roles within a family, the potential to heal old wounds, deathbed visions or dreams, messages to loved ones from the dying or recently passed, and a host of other phenomena. Professionals and leading clinicians share their extraordinary stories, as Director Johanna Lunn takes viewers by the hand to explore what death might look like.
Experts featured in the documentary: Sue Brayne, MA; Dr. Paige Moorehouse, MD; Dr. Penny Sartori, PhD; Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson, MD; Dr. Anthony Bossis, PhD; Dr. Peter Fenwick, MD; Rev. David Maginley, MDiv; Dr. Andrew Holecek, DDS; Jill Schock, MA; William Peters, MA, MEd, MFT; Julie McFadden, RN.
About The Director:
An award-winning producer and director, with more than 35 years of film and television experience, Johanna is using her lifelong curiosity about the death and dying process to bring documentaries about, "What happens when we die?" to life.
“At a young age I witnessed a number of significant deaths that completely cracked my world apart. Because it was taboo to talk about death at the time, I felt terribly isolated. Looking back on those experiences, and with the wisdom of having done much research on dying, I have learned that death, like birth, is one of the most extraordinary events in life, and it is critical that we learn to talk about it."
By talking about death and exploring what happens with curiosity and compassion, Johanna hopes to reduce our fear around death, making it a more accessible part of life - one movie at a time! Johanna lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband Steve and their intrepid companion Gracie, an empathic chocolate lab.
About Gabby:
Gabrielle Jimenez “Gabby” is a hospice nurse, end-of-life doula, death and dying educator, and author. She started The Hospice Heart Facebook page in 2019 hoping to create a safe place to invite others to talk about death, dying, and grief. She offers end-of-life advice, tips, and tools to support someone who is terminal, those who love and care for them, and anyone who works in the end-of-life field. This community has grown to over 145,000 compassionate people who safely share their fears, vulnerability, compassion, heart, and kindness towards others.
Gabby has two goals; her first is to help improve the way human beings are cared for when they are dying and grieving, and the second is that the conversation becomes easier to have about death and dying, and fear is reduced, and curiosity is welcome. Her website offers blogs, poems, classes, podcasts, and the interviews she has done, as well as links to all of her books. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, as well as her Website. Don’t forget to check out her many Published Books!
About The When You Die Project:
From existential afterlife questions such as “What happens when you die?” to hospice care and the nuts-and-bolts of end-of-life planning, if it has to do with death, we’re talking about it. Through movies, podcasts, resources, and more. We believe death awareness brings a happier end to a fuller life. The When You Die film series seeks to foster good conversations around death by de-mystifying the dying process, by reducing our fear of death through knowledge.
Reviews from our last screening:
“I’ve watched the film 4 times. I’ll likely watch it again. I’m familiar with NDEs, NDA, and other death phenomena, but this film put more of the information of the whole body-spirit experience into sharper focus.”
"These films were so well done with remarkable photography, music, and interview subjects sharing their wisdom and stories. Any material that helps people with death anxiety and preparation for death is very valuable. I look forward to seeing more of your work."
“Each of the professionals involved brought a wealth of knowledge and experience and offered such amazing insight. This film needs to be part of the curriculum in every school that trains health professionals! “
“All three films validate my personal perceptions and feelings about death which is helpful as I make my way as a death doula in my community.”
“Fascinating, engaging, informative, beautiful, sensitive.”
“The film is incredibly informative and full of deeply touching stories of what happens as people transition. A must see for anyone working in the field or facing a situation where they are about to care for a loved one who will die soon.”
"Full of love, full of hope, heart-opening."
“The film validated many experiences I have had over my lifetime and reaffirmed my belief that death can be beautiful and sacred when it is embraced as a natural part of the living process.”
“Everyone should see this film. Palliative care workers (especially in hospitals), friends and families of people who are dying, friends and families of people who have died, and are having difficulty with their grief and loss.”
For more information about the film, and the When You Die project, please visit our website and follow us on Social Media:
It's not too late if you'd like to watch the first two films in the series:
Chapter 1: "In the Realm of Death & Dreaming” please click here.
Chapter 2: ”Saying Goodbye: Preparing for Death” please click here.
