Death Cafe write-ups
We had a small but very engaged group at our recent Death Cafe. The conversation was open and clear and, at times, personal.
Worthwhile for the people who attended.
As a Unitarian minister serving an open minded spiritual community, I encounter discussions about death regularly. Families who are adrift having lost a loved one, agonise over planning a funeral which would honour the wishes of the deceased. The most successful memorial services combine suggestions from the person who has died with suggestions from the family; a completely pre-planned service gives no room for manoeuvre but if the loved one has not talked at all about what they want, that can cause even more distress to their family.
This is why I wanted to ensure that there was a safe space where people could talk about death in ...
Death Cafe Dunstable Write up
Posted by DunstableLibrary on Nov. 18, 2022, 8:22 a.m.
A wonderful session with just a few of our regular members (3 + 2 moderators). We had an enlightening session talking about being of help to a dying friend. We asked ourselves how could one truly understand someone who is dying without one being ill and also how would we ourselves react if we found out we were terminally ill. The idea of emotional vs. logical reactions to such diagnosis was a focal point in the discussion. End-of-life plans were also discussed in an attempt to understand how we can help our elderly loved ones when the time comes.
Death Cafe New York City Write up
Posted by Nancy Gershman on Nov. 16, 2022, 12:36 p.m.
The first Death Café in Praia da Luz, Algarve was facilitated yesterday by Natercia Godinho Walsh at Madrugada's premises. Six wonderful ladies participated in a conversation about death. Several points were raised:
1) Hospitals and lack of support for people in their final stages of life
2) Fear of ageing and how to care for loved ones whilst respecting their wishes
3) Family conflict when a family member refuses to be hospitalised
4) What is it like to be dead and to live again. It was mentioned it is peaceful and wonderful on the other side. Loss of fear of dying
5) Continuing bonds with the departed ...
Deloraine Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Dr Annetta Mallon on Nov. 10, 2022, 2:17 p.m.
I set up a Death Cafe and advertised, but no-one came (possibly due to COVID) so there is nothing of note to report.
Death Cafe returns to Brattleboro Write up
Posted by Denise Glover on Nov. 7, 2022, 12:12 p.m.
It was an unseasonably warm late-Fall day. We had around 25 participants show up for the Death Cafe. Folks sat down and started sharing with each other before we even got started!
Several people took their chairs outside and enjoyed the sunshine while talking.
People expressed their appreciation and we had many requests to host another, which we are planning to do.
Five people participated in the Brisbane Death Cafe at Kangaroo Point on 29 October 2022. Conversation spanned recent deaths of family members and friends as well as more distant losses. Many expressed how their experiences of death had affected them and described the path to where they are now in how they relate to dying and death and to how they serve those who are dying. The physical decline of ordinary ageing that transitions towards death was discussed as was sudden death of younger family members and friends. Loss of role models and changes in family structure leading ultimately to the generational shift we come to know as ...
Tucson Online MDT Friendly & Fearless Death Cafe Write up
Posted by TucsonFFDeathCafe on Nov. 3, 2022, 4:57 p.m.
We are living in a degrading world where panic and paranoia seems to have seeped in everywhere like a fine mist. In the United States, we are at imminent risk of losing our democratic union. Experientially, it feels sudden and overwhelming. A recent Café goer shared his heartfelt desire to apologize to young people, that our older generation is leaving them to inherit a big mess of things. He’s found apology to be powerful, and I’ll add forgiveness of ourselves, as a great place to release the tensions so we can begin again. He added the timely suggestion that if we have fears, let’s be ...
Death Cafe - Toronto West EDT Write up
Posted by lindafhochstetler@gmail.com on Oct. 30, 2022, 3:03 p.m.
Article in the Globe and Mail Newsletter on October 28, 2022. Written by Gayle MacDonald.
On a Monday night in early October, a group of about 30 people sat under heat lamps on the back patio of the Bluebird Bar in Toronto’s west end, sipping wine and beer, and chatting about death.
Not necessarily their own mortality – although a few admitted they had come to their first Death Cafe because the thought of their own inevitable demise freaks them out – but to chat about death in a big-picture kind of way and to address some of their hang-ups around it.
Miranda Too, a PhD student at York ...
Death Cafe Whanagrei Write up
Posted by Jo Moselen on Oct. 29, 2022, 10:36 p.m.
Once again we were a group of 18 including the host and facilitator, 15 regulars and 6 new comers.
Our discussion which was had with laughter and tears and was wide ranging in topics from end of life choice, euthanasia, what we grieve for, aging and declining abilities, types of funerals/life celebrations, natural burial, cremains and what to do with them, ,being present in the here and now, the health system recources, the state of the planet and much more.
It was very respectful, kind and generous discussion.
Thank you everyone.
Death Cafe Dunstable Write up
Posted by DunstableLibrary on Oct. 21, 2022, 3:59 a.m.
We had a lovely group of 14 (excluding moderators) and talked about the fear of death (or lack of it), how making children a part of a death conversation, attending funerals etc. creates a healthy relationship with this reality.
Some reviews from attendees say the session has been "enlightening, enjoyable, fun", "the group was very welcoming", they are "more open to talking about [death], and the experience "opened up a new perspective" for them.
Spokane Death Cafe Write up
Posted by LauraKortus on Oct. 17, 2022, 8:24 p.m.
We facilitated our first Death Cafe on a Sunday afternoon on the south hill of Spokane. We held our event at a Thomas Hammer Coffee and we did not require registration. Total guests in attendance were seven and it was actually a perfect number for our first Death Café. We had excellent reviews at the end of the death café and everyone really enjoyed it and said that they would love to come again and they would highly recommend it to friends. Our plan is to host another one in January, quarterly, and we are very excited. At the end of two hours everyone wanted to stay longer ...
Death Cafe Tequisquiapan Write up
Posted by yazminschievenini on Oct. 13, 2022, 6:58 p.m.
SALUDOS A TODA LA COMUNIDAD.
POR ESTE MEDIO QUIERO INFORMAR QUE EL DEATH CAFE QUE SE LLEVARÍA ACABO EL DÍA VIERNES 14 DE OCTUBRE DE 2022 SE HA CANCELADO.
NOS VEMOS EL 4 DE NOVIEMBRE.
GRACIAS.
West Baltimore Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Essie Koenig-Reinke on Oct. 13, 2022, 7:42 a.m.
We had a lovely time this past week at our first ever, West Baltimore Death Cafe. There were warm drinks, cozy couches and lots of great conversations about death. On top of stories and such profound insights about death, We found ourselves reflecting on questions such as:
What makes it hard for some people to talk about death?
Who would you want to greet you when you die?
What would be your perfect last day? What would you do and who would you be with.
Shout out to the Death Deck for helping to guide our conversation. We look forward to gathering together in Novemeber!