Alternate Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America

"Alternative Endings: Six New Ways To Die In America" (2019 release; 67 min.) is a documentary about the rapidly changing ways in the funeral and burial industry, and how Americans are looking at the end of life and remember loved ones. As the documentary opens, we are in "Boston, MA", where the funeral industry is holding a trade show (the largest in the country, we are told, and it certainly looks massive). "Let's Rethink Funerals" reads one banner. We then go to "Gulf of Mexico" where we meet Leila Johnson, whose dad has recently passed away. He loved the ocean, and she and her family have decided to put his ashes in a Memorial Reef that will strengthen the dying coral reef... At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary... Couple of comments: this is the latest entry from HBO Documentary Films, and I continue to be amazed at the general high level of quality of these films. This particular entry looks at the new ways that many Americans are approaching the end of life, and in particular alternative ways to traditional funerals and burials. In that sense, the documentary is really misleadingly titled "Six New Ways to Die". I have to admit this film was at times difficult to watch, not because it isn't any good (in fact, it is very good), but because of the heavy emotional toll this is bound to take on many viewers. While of course we are reminded time and again that "death is part of life", and that more and more people remember loved ones in a "celebration of life" rather than a traditional funeral, the fact remains that someone is passing away or has passed away and that loved ones are left behind. Along the way we explore some of those alternative endings, including "Green Burial", "Space Burial", etc. The segment called "Medical Aid In Dying" is bound to be controversial for a number of reasons. I found it incredibly hard to watch. Even though the documentary last just over an hour, I was emotionally spent and drained at the end. And I can tell you that it has given me pause as I consider the fact that one day I will be facing these very same issues... "Alternative Endings: Six New Ways To Die In America" premiered on HBO earlier this week, and is not available on HBO On Demand and other platforms. If you love documentaries and have any interest in this particular (if difficult and emotional) topic, I'd readily suggest you check this out on VOD and draw your own conclusion.

This movie explores how various people said no to the traditional "funeral" and did things a little differently. Celebrating life WiTH your loved ones, not being embalmed, choosing yo go out on your own terms. Listening to a child's thought on what a funeral should be - hint: it includes bounce houses! Compelling, thoughtful, rejoiceful- you may even find yourself rethinking the way "normal" death is.

What is there to say about a documentary detailing various end of life options? This is a difficult film to watch, particularly since it raises the obvious personal questions. After all, we all pass away at some point. However I did find it to be cathartic to watch. This film was produced with sensitivity and well done, overall. I had no idea of these alternatives and I am glad that I'm now better educated about this topic. I have never experienced a funeral other than the traditional church viewing/funeral/burial. Knowing there are options available now other than the usual church thing is a relief. Traditional funerals are so unnecessarily dreary! I wonder why these options were not available historically, and only now? I suppose it has something to do with the funeral industry and making money, but that's my guess and this film never addresses the topic of how "normal/traditional" funerals came to be. I suppose this is something that would have been interesting and useful to explain. Anyway, this documentary is worth a watch! But you may want some tissues if you are sensitive, like me.

This topic has been previously explored in documentaries, and is gaining in popularity, as many desire to educate on final solutions! Expanding the realm of humans existence, brings tears of joy. These individuals exited on their own terms- wisdom ruled, no matter their age, ending in Peace, ending the pain. Precious & Beautiful. So many never look beyond the "present" , exploring the meanings of all lifes chapters, before the final episodes, where you still have control . All should contemplate what celebrations you'd prefer, before its too late, even if you are healthy. The funeral business is "profit-oriented", provides more joyful & less wasteful costs with beneficial examples .

I didn't really know what I was expecting when I recorded this documentary. What I do know is, it gave me more options to think and ponder over. I hadn't even thought of nor even heard of 3 of the options. I'm definitely going to be doing some more research on a few of these Alternative Endings. I'm glad I watched it, even if I did have to pull out a few tissues.

This topic has been previously explored in documentaries, and is gaining in popularity, as many desire to educate on final solutions! Expanding the realm of humans existence, brings tears of joy. These individuals exited on their own terms- wisdom ruled, no matter their age, ending in Peace, ending the pain. Precious & Beautiful. So many never look beyond the "present" , exploring the meanings of all lifes chapters, before the final episodes, where you still have control . All should contemplate what celebrations you'd prefer, before its too late, even if you are healthy. The funeral business is "profit-oriented", provides more joyful & less wasteful costs with beneficial examples .

What is there to say about a documentary detailing various end of life options? This is a difficult film to watch, particularly since it raises the obvious personal questions. After all, we all pass away at some point. However I did find it to be cathartic to watch. This film was produced with sensitivity and well done, overall. I had no idea of these alternatives and I am glad that I'm now better educated about this topic. I have never experienced a funeral other than the traditional church viewing/funeral/burial. Knowing there are options available now other than the usual church thing is a relief. Traditional funerals are so unnecessarily dreary! I wonder why these options were not available historically, and only now? I suppose it has something to do with the funeral industry and making money, but that's my guess and this film never addresses the topic of how "normal/traditional" funerals came to be. I suppose this is something that would have been interesting and useful to explain. Anyway, this documentary is worth a watch! But you may want some tissues if you are sensitive, like me.