Student-run Death Cafes

Hi Jamie,
Either you go by two names or great minds think alike. I received a direct email contact from another instructor who was looking to do the same thing. We talked about the challenges and ways to go about it. What university are you with? send me a message if you want to talk more.

Posted by Lizzy Miles

Hi,

I think there have been some precedents to this such as:
- http://deathcafe.com/deathcafe/603/
- http://deathcafe.com/deathcafe/326/
- http://deathcafe.com/deathcafe/312/

All the best and please let us know how it goes if you do it.

Jon

Posted by Jon Underwood

RN

Hi Jamie,
I was asked to hold a death cafe for the University of Connecticut. It was held for a philosophy class of 32 students ages 18-21. It was very different than what I was used to. It was an incredible experience for both the students and myself. I received letters from each one stating how grateful they were to have this opportunity to explore this topic in a safe and non-judgemental way. I think that having these classes in school is an amazing service. Good luck, Suzanne

Posted by Suzanne B O'Brien

Death Cafe as part of death education

Hi Jamie,
I have run death education workshops and study days as part of the Natural Death Centre charity for over 20 years. I think Death Cafe is a perfect adjunct to any course you are doing involving death education. I think students will benefit particular from the basic rules of Death Cafe (respect and confidentiality etc.) which allow them a freedom they may not have experienced elsewhere. I am a psychotherapist so it comes natural to me to allow groups to converse together, sharing ideas, experiences and beliefs. I think you need no specific guide lines to host a Death Cafe. I think the tea and cake ritual is an important part of Death Cafe, as is the everyday venue, not to be in a classroom, or to turn a class room into an everyday venue. The ordinariness of the setting, yet its confidential space is what makes it special. If you are at university and you are in a typical lecture room it promotes the 'us and them' divide or hierarchy. It is better to sit in the round. At Death Cafe people sit around tables together to talk intimately to each other. Coming together as one group in the end to invite people to speak to the whole group and developing dialogue there is also a powerful experience. In any case, go for it! And remember a Death Cafe host is also a participant, we are all in the same boat, we are all going to die one day. You need not feel that you are the expert, though it helps to be experienced in the field so you can 'hold' the group, as they say in psychotherapeutic circles. This holding is a psychological holding and containment. Supervision for yourself to discuss your thoughts and feelings about Death Cafe can also be a great help to deepen your understanding of the work and provide you with confidence.
I have often had students come to my Death Cafes which I hold monthly. We have about 1/3 regulars attending and 2/3 new comers. Ages range from 17 - 87. Check out some of our write ups?
13th Death Cafe in June write up:
http://deathcafe.com/writeups/295/
12th (filmed) Death Cafe in May write up:
http://deathcafe.com/writeups/294/
11th Death Cafe in May write up:
http://deathcafe.com/writeups/293

Good wishes,
Josefine Speyer
Death Cafe Hampstead on Facebook

Posted by Josefine Speyer

Appreciate the feedback

Jon & Suzanne, thanks for your replies. It helps to have input from others. Wondering where you held the Death Cafe for the philosophy course, Suzanne. Was it on campus or off. Susan

Posted by Jamie29