"Sometimes the database handle gets destroyed before my object's destructor is called and I get a cascade of errors."

Why is that happening? I would look into why other "things" are allowed to destroy the database handle and restrict them from doing so. Perhaps you would benefit by giving the object it's own database handle as an attribute?

Finally, perhaps DBIx::Connector would be of use to you ... check it out. Hope this helps. :)

L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
B--B--B--B--B--B--B--B--
H---H---H---H---H---H---
(the triplet paradiddle with high-hat)