Death Cafe creates an informal and neutral environment for people to discuss death and dying.  The normalization of this topic is an important one as research has shown that the United States, for example, is extremely hesitant to discuss death and dying (Keeley and Yingling, 2007; Levine, 2003, 2007, 2010).  This reticence impacts the final conversations surrounding death and dying (Keeley, 2007) and communication regarding end of life choices such as hospice care and advanced directives.  Although a preliminary study, the potential impact for research such as this can serve to advocate for Death Cafes and to disseminate information about Death Cafes and their potential impact to a wider audience.

All facilitators are invited to participate in this Death Cafe research project as this study is designed to capture the facilitators' experience with Death Cafe. You are eligible to participate in the project if you have served at a Death Cafe facilitator, particularly if you are the start-up facilitator of a Death Cafe.  Your half hour interview will be done over the phone or via Skype at a time convenient for you. Your information will remain confidential and anonymous.

Please email Dr. Paula Baldwin at baldwinp@wou.edu or call 571-292-4605 with any questions, concerns or to set up a time to be interviewed.  I appreciate your help!