Meeting Mortality: A Lively Look at Befriending the End

An evening of laughter, music, and meaningful reflection

Meeting Mortality proved that conversations about death don’t have to be heavy to be profound. This animated and—yes—amusing event invited people to take a fresh look at their “relationship status” with the Grim Reaper, and the answer for many in the room was delightfully honest: it’s complicated.

Hosted by End in Mind founder and broadcast journalist Cathy Wurzer, the evening blended humor, storytelling, music, and real-life insight to get people thinking—and laughing—about mortality. Storyteller Kevin Kling had the audience roaring with laughter, while comedian Mark DePaolis brought sharp wit and unexpected levity to the topic.

Musician Annie Mack captivated the room with her stunning voice, adding moments of beauty and reflection, and author and veteran paramedic Jeremy Norton offered provocative, deeply grounded insights drawn from years of witnessing life’s final moments.

Together, these voices created an engaging, memorable experience that reinforced End in Mind’s belief: accepting our mortality can help us live more fully, intentionally, and honestly—right now. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us on March 24, 2024 at the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center, for this lively exploration of the end, and for being part of a community willing to face it with curiosity, courage, and a sense of humor.