First Brighton Death Cafe
A write up of Brighton Death Cafe
By River Jones
We arrived at 7pm and were increasingly pleasantly surprised by the flow of people into the café, which filled up before the advertised start time of 7.30pm.
We greeted people and invited them to make themselves name badges, speak to someone they hadn’t met before, and if they wanted to, to think of questions or topics that could be a starting point for a discussion of death, write these on small cards and drop in hat.
By 7.45pm the 31 people who truned up had all had a chance to order refreshments. We welcomed everyone and recapped purpose of Daeth Cafes. We invited them to sit at tables in groups of 4 -6, and gave each table a card from the hat – to feel free to change it and/ or depart from it, as long as discussion was on topic of death.
At 8.25, after a five minute warning, we asked a volunteer from each table to report back to the whole group. Every volunteer got applause for their contribution. Topics ranged from “why do we avoid talking about death?” to “is there life after death?” , funerals, organ donation, wills, what the living can do for the dying and vice versa…
We thanked everyone for coming, invited feedback on cards, and set a date for next Café (15th Jan) - on a show of hands, most are keen to come again. Judging by the attendance, the very positive atmosphere, and the feedback below, the first Brighton Death Café at the Redwood seemed to be a great success!
COMMENTS RECEIVED:
A great event and important to talk openly and honestly to strangers and friends about death and dying.
Wonderfully liberating – I hope this spreads.
Very refreshing and stimulating. A valuable occasion, well done for initiating it.
Thought provoking and reflective. More positive and less scary than I expected. Feel better for talking about it. Well organised, short and sweet.
Very interesting talking openly with people about death. Like life, the sssion went very quickly. Will definitely attend the next one.
An interesting and thought provoking experience. The atmosphere was warm and receptive, people very open and honest. I look forward to the next one.
Enjoyed structure of the evening. Made me think in a new way. Would have liked to mix groups during the evening.
Very Nice! “The opposite of death is birth” I’m taking that away. THANK-YOU!!!
I would like a Grief Café – Death is hard for those left behind.
Thought it would be full of Goths and Steampunks. Glad it wasn’t!
Inspiring, intriguing, thought provoking, great diversity of ideas. Thanks, Huge Success.
Comments
Dear River Jones,
I just want to say that this sounds like a truly wonderful event, and a much needed one in a society where talking about death is mainly considered morbid or taboo. I'd be really interested in talking to you about this event, as it resonates greatly with what I am exploring in my studies. If you have the time I would love to hear from you. My email is jademariethomas@gmail.com
Posted by Jade Marie