Death Education & Empowerment

Bridging the gap between clinical skills and human connection.
AHensley

We support:

AmyHensley_Icon_Black Nurses & healthcare teams – Before the Casket (workshops and seminars)

AmyHensley_Icon_Black Individuals & families – Sips & Wishes (education, conversations and support)

AmyHensley_Icon_Black Organizations & communities – Custom workshops and presentations

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Through our workshops, tools, and real conversation, we empower everyone to make informed, values-based choices before the crisis hits. 

WHY: Amy Hensley empowers you to advocate for yourself and find peace.

HOW: Educating and facilitating conversations

WHAT: Sips & Wishes - a relaxed, interactive workshop presented by nurses for a non-medical audience to learn about medical treatments for documenting your end-of-life wishes.

Before the Casket's Death Happens Everywhere - this workshop is in development as an accredited workshop for the healthcare team.

Compassionate Conversations - seminars presented by nurses for medical professionals.

Comfort Compass - personalized support from a nurse advisor.

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Why we exist...

Problem & Solution

When people avoid conversations about death, loved ones are left guessing—often resulting in guilt, trauma, and complicated grief. In healthcare, a lack of communication training leads to moral distress for providers and unnecessary suffering for patients. Let's bridge that gap. We help people make informed decisions and talk about them—and we teach healthcare professionals how to lead these conversations with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

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(Public/Community)

Amy at Sips & Wishes in Omaha

Sips & Wishes

Join our relaxed and interactive workshop presented by a nurse, where non-medical people can learn about medical treatments and the importance of documenting end-of-life decisions. Gain valuable knowledge and tools to advocate for yourself and have meaningful conversations with your loved ones. You will be guided through the process, ensuring that you feel empowered and informed about your options. The exclusive workbook allows you to take notes during the workshop, then helps guide the conversation with your loved ones, ensuring that your wishes are understood and respected. Document your wishes in our custom Preferences Packet.

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comfort compass Omaha

Comfort Compass

Take advantage of our personalized support from a nurse advisor. Where compassion meets expertise. Collaborative consultations tailored to your unique needs. Whether you need assistance in making medical decisions, navigating healthcare systems, brainstorming, advocacy, or simply someone to talk to, Comfort Compass is direct access to a nurse. Always using a holistic approach, this service is available as a one-time session or ongoing basis in-person or virtual. Acute emergency support is also available.

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(Nurses, Social Workers

Pastoral, Aides, Physicians)

death essentials Lincoln

Death Happens Everywhere:

Essential Skills for the Healthcare Team

A full-day deep-dive for healthcare teams who are done guessing, done tiptoeing, and ready to handle death and dying with clarity, skill, and heart. Finally understand palliative care and hospice. Recognize and know what to expect as the body goes through the dying process. Get language you can actually use when conversations get tough. Build communication muscle by practicing with real scenarios. Understand your grief so it doesn’t hijack your compassion. Walk out more grounded, more confident, and more connected to your “why.” (7.0 contact hours)

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compassionate conversations Lincoln

Compassionate Conversations

Seminars presented by nurses for medical professionals

  • Don't Panic, It's Just Death (And You Can Handle It) (1 or 2 hours)
  • From ER nurse to death advocate (1 contact hour)
  • When Home Means Here: Rethinking Hospice in Assisted Living (2 hours, or Part 1 & 2)
  • More seminars coming soon!
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Our Team

Did we take these pictures in a cemetery? Yes. Yes, we did.

We are Registered Nurses and have a nurse's sense of humor.

We are the Co-Founders of Before the Casket.

We are Masters prepared educators.

Most importantly, we bring out the best in each other.

Lincoln Amy

Amy Hensley, MSN, RN

Educator • Advocate • Conversation Catalyst

How I define myself

mama bear, supportive friend, oldest daughter and sister, compassionate hospice nurse, movie lover, former graphic designer, passionate human, social introvert

I haven't always...

I wasn't always my true authentic self. I found my voice and the strength to use it. The goal is to grow.

My values...

My values: honesty, courage, authenticity
My catchphrase: from uncomfortable comes change
​My strengths: harmony, discipline, consistency, connectedness, relator

Wherever you are, I want to help move you one notch more comfortable and empower you to advocate for yourself.
Bio

I was a graphic designer for nearly twenty years before I went to nursing school. While I worked at a critical access hospital doing everything from birth to death, I got my MSN and then started teaching. During my teaching career, I found my voice and encouraged students to find their voice. Realizing that my passions include end-of-life guided me to become a hospice nurse and end-of-life educator. We all bring to the table our experiences, viewpoints, concerns, biases, and expectations. Giving grace to myself and those around me has helped me have uncomfortable conversations with humor, awareness and understanding. I'm becoming more comfortable with asking for what I want.

Why we're good together

We each bring different traits, strengths, viewpoints, and needs to Before the Casket. We laugh and drink on the deck, letting those we love interrupt and add to our story. We commiserate and share the joys of motherhood. We can say scary thoughts out loud and cry without judgment. We collaborate and brainstorm constantly. When one is down, the other sits and provides a safe space. We're growing individually and together.

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