Breaking the Silence: End-of-Life Care in the Chinese American Community

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In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Sandy Chen Stokes, founder of the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (CACCC), to discuss end-of-life care in the Chinese American community. 

Together, they talk about how deeply rooted traditions, intergenerational caregiving, and spiritual beliefs shape conversations about death—and how those conversations are changing in today’s world. 

 From cultural taboos to the power of open communication, Sandy shares personal stories, practical wisdom, and tools like the Heart to Heart® Café and Heart to Heart® Cards that empower families to connect more deeply. Whether you're a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply someone navigating the complexities of death and dying, this episode offers encouragement and actionable guidance. 

 

Key topics include: 

• Cultural barriers to end-of-life conversations 
• Intergenerational shifts in caregiving 
• Rituals, beliefs, and communication practices 
• The importance of early planning and education 
• CACCC's tools and volunteer training programs 
• How AI is helping shape the future of compassionate care 

 

Let’s normalize these critical conversations and build bridges across generations—because talking about death is truly a way to honor life. 

 

Links & Resources: 

• Guest: Sandy Chen Stokes – Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care: https://www.caccc-usa.org 
• Host: Traci Arieli – Comforting Closure: https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• Heart to Heart® Cards: https://www.caccc-usa.org/heart2heart-cards 
• Mentioned Film: The Farewell (2019) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8637428/ 
• Learn more about advance care planning: https://theconversationproject.org 

 

If this conversation moves you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe. Help us spread awareness and compassion one conversation at a time.