'When Dying at Home is the Wish—But Not Part of the Plan,' a We Wish We Knew That! roundtable discussion

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The Pre-Dead Social Club will host “When Dying at Home is the Wish—But Not Part of the Plan,” a We Wish We Knew That! roundtable discussion on Monday, November 3 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Kittery Community Center Banquet Room in Kittery, ME. The panel will feature Dr. Nicholas Coppins, family medicine provider; Barbara Douglass, physical therapist and end-of-life doula; Melissa Kennedy, registered nurse, and Dannielle Haskell, caregiver and will be facilitated by Laura Cleminson, Founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club and end-of-life doula.

Many people express a preference for dying at home, yet most don’t largely because there was no plan in place for being able to do so. This roundtable discussion will explore what gets in the way of people’s ability to die at home, what pieces need to be in place in order to turn a wish into reality, and the role that the complete caregiving team–both medical and family–plays in putting a plan together.

The mission of the Pre-Dead Social Club is to bring fresh energy to vital conversations about dying and death, fostering understanding among individuals, loved ones, and the professionals they rely on. Through events such as this one, they are working to cultivate clarity, build confidence, and advocate for compassionate, personalized end-of-life experiences.

“This is uncharted territory for most people. While we may have had the opportunity to learn from those who’ve died before us, we each need to blaze a trail that reflects what matters most to us, and to those we care for, “ said Laura Cleminson, facilitator and founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club. “But in order to do that, we need a shared roadmap to follow together. This discussion is for anyone with a stake in these conversations—now or in the future—who wants to make sure that future wishes become part of a tangible plan.”

Dr. Nicholas Coppins, originally from England, has since 2019 served the Seacoast community at Kittery Family Practice. He’s the first to admit that end-of-life care gets far too little attention in medical school—and culturally, many of us  tend to avoid the subject altogether. He’s looking forward to this roundtable not just as a physician, but as a listener, learner, and advocate for clearer, kinder conversations around what matters most.
 
Barbara Douglass spent over 40 years as a physical therapist working in acute care, home health, and her own aquatic therapy practice. She found her calling in skilled nursing and rehab, specializing in geriatrics for the last 19 years of her career before retiring in 2024. Now trained as a death doula and hospice volunteer, Douglass continues to support friends and family through health challenges and encourages anyone who will listen to make a plan.
 
Melissa Kennedy is a registered nurse certified in both hospice and palliative care (CHPN) as well as wound care (WCC), with over 15 years of experience in healthcare—13 of which have been devoted to end-of-life care. Currently working with Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home, she brings deep expertise across the full spectrum of hospice services, having served patients in acute care hospitals, hospice houses, nursing facilities, and private homes.
 
Dannielle Haskell is a former nonprofit director who spent years designing afterschool and summer programs for kids—and is now deep in a different kind of learning as a full-time parent to two young daughters. In early 2024, Haskell’s aunt was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She stepped in without hesitation as her aunt was like a second mom to her—becoming a steady caregiver and a communication bridge for out-of-town family members. Her aunt chose quality of life and quantity of life with her decision to forgo additional treatment, entering hospice just weeks later.
 
Living at a hospice house for nearly a month gave Haskell a profound window into the reality of dying—not just its heartbreak, but its potential for beauty, connection, and grace. She now hopes to be a voice for those standing beside a loved one at the end of life—especially those who didn’t expect to find themselves in that role.

Facilitator Laura Cleminson is the Founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club, an INELDA-trained death doula, hospice volunteer and a member of the NH Health Care Decisions Coalition. Through hundreds of conversations at Pre-Dead Social Club events, she’s heard others say, “I thought I had it covered,” “I’m totally winging this,” and “I don’t even know how to start the conversation or who to talk to.” Her mission is to change that.

The event is generously sponsored by Friends of Hyder Family Hospice House. Tickets are $10 per person and advanced purchase is recommended. The Kittery Community Center is located at 120 Rogers Road, Kittery, ME.
 
For a full schedule of events or to purchase tickets, visit www.predeadsocialclub.com.