My first Death Cafe
A write up of Death Cafe Birmingham
By carrieweekes
Here's a review of our Death Cafe by first timer John O'Donnell. Thanks John!
Following the The Dying Well Community Charter Launch Event, on the 19th March at the “Blues Ground”, which included a presentation by Carrie Weekes, on the Death Cafe movement, I went along out of idle curiosity to a Death Cafe event organised by Carrie and her business associate Fran, (not their first). It was held at the Coffin Works in Hockley Birmingham from 1.0 pm until 3.0 pm on Sunday 29th March 2015.
The Death Cafe movement, is a strictly not for profit organisation, set up by Londoner Jon Underwood in 2011, since then there have been over 1,700 events held world wide.
The concept is simple, anyone can organise a Death Cafe event (along recommended and sensible guidelines). Guests, ideally pre-booked, simply go along to a venue, have a cup of tea, a bit of cake and a chat (or just sit and listen). There is just one topic, Death, its not morbid, its not sad, its not irreverent, its not quiet. It is fun, it gives all who attend permission to talk, exchange experiences and just share or unburden their fears to complete strangers, who they will probably never meet again. Above all it sweeps away all the taboos surrounding and involving death and turns the subject from morbid to one of openness and even clarity.
Sundays the 29th was a horrid wet cold and windy day, non the less, circa twenty individuals who’s aged ranged from late twenties to late sixties and from all kinds of backgrounds turned up.
The whole experience was truly fascinating. From arrival to departure the time just flew, there were no awkward silences, no conversation lulls, no inhibitions, just a simple open exchanging of views and ideas. I felt that those who came perhaps looking for comfort or help, found it and left better, brighter,stronger even enriched by the experience.
Contrary to popular belief it was a brilliant way to spend a Sunday thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting.
In my view The Death Cafe model should receive much wider awareness, be available as part of the End of Life and Bereavement service. The Death Cafe concept, is the absolute opposite of the traditionally unhelpful, hand wringing, there there, it will all be fine approach. Attendance at one should be mandatory for all Health and Social Care professionals who deal with death in its many forms and with its aftermath.
Regards
John O'Donnell
Comments
Date of Next Event
Please could you let me know the date of your next event.
Posted by Yusuf Shah
Service co-ordinator, independent living voluntary sector
wow! what a breath of fresh air. I was introduced to the Deathcafe concept by a new friend and can hardly believe what I am reading. It's high time that death was viewed as a part of life and this is an incredibly valuable new outlet for those who need to talk about it in the open, to like minded individuals. I shall certainly be sharing this with friends and colleagues and those we support in our working lives.
Posted by Kim Newcombe