March 2014 Summary
A write up of Denver Death Cafe March
By Anita Larson
Denver Death Café Summary March 16, 2014
Many thanks to Mike Heflebower with Heflebower Funeral Services in Highlands Ranch, CO for hosting the March Denver Death Cafe and providing refreshments. Updates and announcements are posted regularly on our Facebook page so like us at www.facebook.com/denverdeathcafe
IN THE NEWS
Here’s a link to Kevin Torres Storyteller’s Feature on the Denver Death Café: http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/storytellers/2014/03/10/storytellers-death-cafe-denver/6236523/
Denver Death Café is listed in Westword Best of Denver 2014. This is an nnual publication: http://www.westword.com/bestof/2014/award/best-place-to-contemplate-death-with-others-2787731/
At first the idea of a death cafe might seem morbid — a place designed for goths and very sad people. But in fact, the Denver Death Cafe is not like that at all — instead, it's a healthy forum where people can talk about death in self-actualizing ways. The free Sunday-afternoon meetings, part of a global movement that started in London in 2011, unfold over coffee, tea and cake at changing locations every month, and are meant to be life-affirming rather than the opposite.
Topics of discussion included: How do you find your peace, comfort? Music, meditation, pain-free, conscious, warm blankets, prayer or blessings. Hospice is 24 hour access not 24 hour care. Doctors are not willing to give a terminal diagnosis. Death is not a failure, it’s inevitable. What will happen when I die? Remembering funerals of the past and how they are different now.
Good Read: “Visions, Trips & Crowded Rooms” by David Kessler
One word describing your experience at the Denver Death Café: welcoming, reaffirming, hopeful, new faces, live on purpose, insights, joyful, comforting & inspiring, surprisingly enjoyable, kindred spirits, compassionate.
“It was nice to hear about other people’s experiences and how similar they were to mine about Polish Catholic funerals.”
“I have a new understanding of Hospice care.”
“Attending today was reaffirming and gave me permission to feel the way I feel.”
“I need to research advance directives and hospice care.”
“Gives me hope that conversations about death are happening.”
“I learn more each time I attend.”
“Ask questions about death and how your physician feels about death. Is death the enemy to him or her?”
Next time let’s talk about: Do those who passed on watch over us? If so, for how long? When is it ever appropriate to give up and yearn for death, not suicide, but to give up on life. What small rituals or traditions do you take part in to remember those who have passed?
The next Denver Death Café will be Sunday, April 27th from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, CO. Historic Cemetery Tours will be offered to attendees AFTER the Death Café. No RSVP required! See you there!
“Live every day as if it were your last, because one day you’ll be right.”
With Gratitude,
Anita Larson, Facilitator & Celebrant
denverdeathcafe@gmail.com