Living and Dying Off-Grid in Central Mexico: Brian Fey, MIC: Ep3

Brian Fey moved from the US to Mexico in 2004 to live more intentionally and be closer to nature. Until his death in 2025, Brian lived off-grid as the steward of a forest outside of Pátzcuaro in Michoacán.

We spoke about the draw of Mexico’s laid back culture, what it might be like to die in a rural area of Mexico, and what to plan for when it comes to aging, dying, and what might happen to your land when you’re gone.

Read our rememberance of Brian Fey here.

In This Episode:

• Living intentionally in Mexico, closer to nature

• The welcoming Mexican culture

• Mexican humor, even when it comes to death

• How Día de Muertos might support both the dying person and those who grieve them.

• The importance of legacy and end-of-life planning, including wills

• Legal considerations around green burial in Mexico

• What aging in place might look like in rural areas

• The critical nature of community and support systems

• The illegality of assisted dying in Mexico

• Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) as a legal end-of-life option

• The theme of control around end-of-life decision-making

• Personal experiences with death, and the death of a beloved dog

• The importance of planning, community, and connecting with the land

Learn More:

See the full, unedited version of this conversation.