Wake

New Orleans based nonprofit dedicated to equitable and sustainable deathcare.

06/11/2026

Calling all New Orleans-area , , , , , ... if you work with people at the end of life, we'd like to meet you! Let's brainstorm how to best connect, support each other, and share resources, skills, and knowledge!

Wake’s monthly Meeting is open to anyone working in end-of-life care in the area, as a volunteer or professionally, and to anyone interested in doing that work. It’s an opportunity to meet each other, to share resources, and to explore how we can support each other in meeting the needs of our community.

This month, we'll be treated to a demonstration by Threshold Choir NOLA, the local sub-chapter of the nonprofit Threshold Choir International.

Come and learn more about music as support at the end of life, and connect with this incredible, free offering you can utilize for your clients, patients, and loved ones.

A note about Propeller: Parking is available and the building entrance is through the glass double doors at the back of the front parking lot. The doors may be locked, but we'll be watching for you and someone will let you in!

06/10/2026

This month, we're holding Death Cafe on a SATURDAY to accommodate the folks who generally can't come on Sundays.

A Death Cafe is:
-a respectful and confidential space
-a group-directed discussion of death with no agendas, objectives, or themes.
-meant to normalize the conversation about death, and empower participants to make the most of their (finite) lives.

A Death Cafe is not:
-grief or bereavement counseling
-the best place for those in fresh grief
-a place to promote goods or services

Death Cafe is free and open to the public, so swing by Propeller, 4035 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125. Parking is available and the building entrance is through the glass double doors at the back of the front parking lot.

The last half hour of Death Cafe includes a legal clinic, where you can learn about and pick up basic advance care planning documents (Living Will, Health Care Power of Attorney, and/or Funeral and Disposition of Remains Directive), and have those forms notarized for free.

06/08/2026

On June 2nd we celebrated the end of Wake's fiscal year with a small gathering and bid goodbye to Allison Lindsey Durant, our Board President for the past two years, and Wake's Treasurer before that. Allison is paring away her volunteer engagements to focus on growing her private practice, the , and will transition to Wake's Advisory Board in order to help consult on Wake's programs without the full responsibility of .

Allison reflected on her time at Wake:
"What an exciting time for Wake. The organization has continued to grow and expand its impact throughout our community. While providing direct service to clients who are anticipating or experiencing a remains at the heart of our mission, Wake has also broadened its reach through new programs and educational offerings to providers that are expanding competency and enriching conversations around death, dying, and grief.

Wake's commitment to and increasing to deathcare aligns deeply with my own professional values and has made serving on the board a meaningful experience.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such passionate and dedicated individuals. I'm also pleased to share that the amazing Amelia Bird will reassume the role of President. Amelia and I have worked closely together over the past four years, and she brings strong leadership, vision, and a deep commitment to Wake's mission."

05/29/2026

When someone dies, everything thing seems overwhelming and you may feel like you don't know what steps to do next. Remember, you are not alone.

Wake can help you:
Prepare in advance for an expected death
Price shop for funeral homes and services
Write an obituary
Create and print funeral/memorial programs
Connect you with community resources for grief support
Share information about how to wrap up affairs after a death
Call Wake at (504) 689-6330 or email us at [email protected]

*If your loved one’s cause of death was criminal activity in the New Orleans area, Wake recommends the Crime Survivors Guide at crimesurvivorsnola.org.

05/27/2026

is one of Wake's favorite annual community events, and although we won't be there this year (their eleventh!), because of scheduling conflicts, we think you should be.

Held on the beautiful grounds of Longue Vue House and Gardens, Family Equality Day is a free Longue Vue event. This year's event, on May, 31, 2026 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM, will be a kick-off to Pride Month. In keeping with the inclusive values of founders Edith and Edgar Stern, Family Day celebrates and recognizes families of all shapes, sizes, and definitions, with a special focus on the + community.

This outdoor event is fun for all ages, with Drag Queen Story Time, dance and drag performances, fan decorating, a community resource fair, a children’s parade, and other surprises.

05/22/2026

End-of-life planning can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. Many people simply don’t know where to start or what options are available to them.

Wake offers education and resources designed to make these decisions clearer and more accessible. By breaking down complex topics into understandable guidance, Wake helps individuals and families make informed, values-based choices with confidence and care.

05/20/2026

How we approach deathcare has an impact not only on families, but also on the environment. Traditional practices can be resource-intensive, and many people are now looking for more sustainable alternatives.
Wake is part of a growing movement exploring environmentally conscious deathcare options. By helping people understand greener choices, Wake encourages end-of-life planning that reflects both personal values and a deeper responsibility to the planet.

05/07/2026

Wake's GiveNOLA Day campaign was everything we needed it to be: a financial shot in the arm, a friend-raiser, and a reminder of how wonderful this community can be. We raised $5,855 with a record 93 donations thanks to our amazing community!

We don't need to tell you all how challenging fundraising has been over the past couple of years. Times are tough for everyone in this space as the nonprofit sector has taken a huge hit. This campaign feels like the antidote to that bad news - an example of how we come together as a community to lift one another up in ways big and small.

This is mutual aid, which through no coincidence, is exactly what we plan to grow with these funds. We've seen the "caregiver crisis" in effect as individuals living alone, without a sufficient support network, face the inevitable challenges of aging and illness. We are gearing up to pilot our Communities of Care program, where we facilitate the coming together of people to support one another with simple activities of daily living, providing social connection and engaging in structured conversations about life goals, caregiving preferences, and end-of-life planning. We believe that fostering these trust bonds will result in more care and connection in our community, and less stress and overwhelm when we necessarily confront these inevitable challenges.

You make this work possible and we are so excited to share the highlights with you as we roll out the program in the weeks and months ahead!

05/04/2026

Tonight at midnight our campaign to build a Community of Care officially begins. Thanks to an amazing showing from our community we knocked out our early giving goal of $1,000. Now we're crossing fingers and toes we make it to the finish line of $7,000 by midnight tomorrow so we can pilot our Community of Care program.

A Community of Care is a circle of social connection between unrelated people in the community who come together to learn and practice mutual aid in order to foster trust bonds meant to endure through the lifespan.

Help us launch the Communities of Care Program and bring companionship, connection, and support to all.

To donate: https://www.givenola.org/organization/Wake-Education

05/03/2026

If we’re lucky enough to grow old, each of us will one day be a caregiver, need a caregiver, or both. The need for connection, dignity, and support doesn’t fade with age. Yet too many older adults in our community are navigating this stage of life alone, without the relationships and resources they need.

In Orleans Parish, nearly half of households are made up of a single person, and more than one-third include someone over 60. Many older adults are aging in isolation. It doesn’t have to be this way.

This year, we’re raising $7,000 to launch the Community of Care Program, a peer-led model that builds lasting relationships and mutual support networks. Help us create a future where no one ages alone.

To donate: https://www.givenola.org/organization/Wake-Education

Address

New Orleans, LA

Website

http://wake.education/, https://linktr.ee/wakedeathcare

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