Linda Johnson works as an advocate to destigmatize death. For more than five decades she worked as a nurse; 26 of those years as a United States Air Force nurse. While her career has been focused on improving health and living well, now as a retiree, she finds purpose and meaning in improving the process of dying – which includes influencing and empowering people to proactively engage in end-of-life planning. This planning is individually determined but could include everything from living wills to legacy planning, funeral arrangement and preference for disposition of remains.  Linda feels that as a society, we plan for all sorts of “just in case” life incidents, except the one that is guaranteed to occur for all of us – death. 

Linda recently lost her sister to terminal cancer. Both as an only sibling, and as a Certified Death Doula, she attempted to educate and influence her sister in getting end-of-life affairs in order, so that things could be carried out as she desired.  However, these suggestions were faced with great resistance, as happens to be the case far too often – and the opportunity to have her voice in the decisions that followed was missed.   

Now, the burden of grief and managing after-death closures is left to her only surviving child. Thankfully, after completing training as a community justice worker, Linda felt a level of confidence that she didn’t have previously to guide her niece in sorting through the after-death estate affairs that had to be managed. Linda is now a community justice worker and serves on the board of the Alaska End-of-Life Alliance providing advocacy, resources and education in the Alaska community related to all end-of-life planning. Linda desires to change the negative attitudes and stigma currently applied to death and dying. She wants to empower individuals to make decisions while they live about how they want their end-of-life to be.  It’s the greatest gift one can give to families grieving their death.  

“I have had my heart broken time and time again while watching people try to navigate terminal illness and dying without the resources to help them manage “dying well.” 

In working with the Alaska Native community in particular, Linda has recognized the complexities that come with end-of-life planning and the need for legal support that is often not readily accessible.  A major barrier to requesting legal assistance is financial insecurity. Individuals often feel they don’t need to create a will or make any legal arrangements because they have “nothing to leave behind,” or that legalities will negatively impact disbursement of the assets they do have. 

Because Alaska has implemented reforms that ease restrictions on who can provide legal help besides licensed attorneys, Linda is able to provide the legal support her community needs. What she does is empower families through resources, so they have accurate information when they need it, particularly when it comes to wills and trusts. Linda understands how critical time is, especially at an end-stage of life. 

“There is a gap between the time that families recognize that they need to put things in place and the time that they do it. I see procrastination and denial more than I would like – especially with those struggling financially and not knowing there are still resources available to assist them.” 

Through advocacy and education, Linda hopes to change the dynamics around the subject of death. She knows that the earlier people are informed, the earlier they can align their wishes with end-of-life goals. Through an initiative called the “Death Cafe,” Linda provides a safe space for individuals to learn, ask questions and share their experiences related to death and dying. Both an in-person and virtual option to participate is offered and is open to all. 

“People fear having a conversation about death, as though to talk about it will hasten the time that death will occur. I want to provide a safe space to start normalizing the conversation.” 

 Along with financial barriers, family conflict can also be a barrier when preparing for death. It is often hard to move forward because of the different perspectives of those making decisions. This is common in Alaska Native and other cultures, where there is a hierarchical custom for family decision making, and there is no living will that designates a preferred agent(s). 

Linda is committed to the work that justice workers can do within her community, and the state. Combining her whole-person approach and doula skills, she can reach people in a way that provides comfort, partnership and trust. 

“I know that some people don’t engage in early conversation because they can’t afford legal services, they don’t think they need the help, or they think they have time to postpone the process. Our communities can be better served, and that’s where I want to help as a justice worker.”