About this Death Cafe
Suzy and I because of our life and work experiences and what we see as a lack and fear around death in our current society wish to create a safe and friendly space where people can talk about all aspects of death with friends old and hopefully new whilst enjoying tea, coffee and cake.
About Suzy Hilton and Helen Bennett
Hello: My name is Suzy Hilton. I live and work in Exmouth. I am a mother of four lovely children and a carer to my elderly father who has Alzheimer's. I have a background in Holistic Wellbeing and run my own successful Healing Practise here in Exmouth. I was recently ordained as a Spiritual Way Minister.
I have been aware of Death from being 4 years old - when I lost my Adopted Mother - and have experienced death many times throughout my life but I do not hold any fear around death and dying.
I believe that holding a Death Cafe where people can meet up to chat and share including coffee and cake, will help in bringing this subject back to life.....
Rev Suzy Hilton
Hi, my name is Helen and I live in Exmouth.
Much of my working life I have spent as a sociol worker, health educator and care home manager. In the 1990's I worked for some years as a health adviser and counsellor in sexual health and HIV/AIDS. I have now retired from full time work on health grounds.
Personally, I have lived with bereavement, illness, death and loss since childhood. For me death is a part of life. I see the natural cycle of life and death reflected all around me particularly in the seasons of the year - spring, summer, autumn and winter a mirror for the stages of my of my own life ........ birth, childhood and adolescence, adulthood, old age (with hopefully wisdom!) and death...............
In the past this cycle and the celebrations of life and death were understood by the many via our lifestyle close to the land, our beliefs, our oral histories, religion, religious festivals and practices; including wakes, All Souls and Hallowmas. Village life revolved around the church and these cycles and festivals.... but sadly for us, over the last one hundred years and more this has changed and much of this knowledge, ritual, comfort and support around death has been lost.
I hope, that by creating with Suzy, a welcoming and safe place our Death Cafe will give people the opportunity to meet, to talk about death, to share and possibly to learn; all whilst enjoying good tea, cake and company.
Helen Bennett
