Mitch interviews Porscha Dilllard about funeral poverty. Also part of the discussion is the questioning of what happens in the space between an ending and a beginning? In this liminal episode which closes out one year and gets ready for another, Mitch explores grief, New Year’s reflections and the concept of community. On topic are the many ways we care for one another when life changes forever.
Joining the conversation is Porscha Dillard, Director of Off the Chain Alliance, an organization providing wraparound grief support and addressing funeral poverty for disenfranchised communities in the Inland Empire.
From the loss of a newborn or stillborn baby to the death of an elder who has lived a full life, grief is never one-size-fits-all. Porscha shares how the sudden loss of her brother helped inspire the creation of Off the Chain Alliance and how the organization helps families navigate both the emotional and practical realities of death, including the devastating burden of funeral poverty: the inability to pay for funeral costs and the other associated costs of a death, especially when untimely.
Mitch and Porscha also explore advance directives, life insurance, dignity, legacy, and the simple but powerful ways community can show up when families need it most. This is a conversation about death, yes. Yet, ultimately, it is about love, preparation, remembrance, and how we carry one another across the threshold from life to the afterlife.
Mitch says: “If you’ve got stories, questions, chaos, or wisdom from your own holiday sammitch, hit me up at dasandwichgenration@gmail.com.”
Peace!✌🏾☮️🕊️👊🏾
Note: Contains Explicit content.