Let it flow!

Hi Jenn
Welcome to the family! My advice: Go with the flow. Everything happens as it should.
All you need to do is ask people, "what brought you here" and then let the conversation flow. I would highly recommend small groups, even if you only have 8 people - I would do 2 groups of 4 and then rotate. This is because everyone comes to talk and if the group is too big then people get less talk time. Small group conversations are my favorite. If you take time to explain the guidelines of honoring and respecting differences, very little facilitation is necessary. Think of the original swiss coffee shop foundation - in a coffee shop conversation you wouldn't have someone directing the conversation or redirecting to different attendees. Hope this helps. Feel free to send me a note if you have other questions. I know what it's like to be nervous... when I was preparing to host my first one I must have emailed Jon a dozen times with silly questions. Once I hosted the first one, I saw how simple it could (and should) be. The basic formula of attendee-driven conversation is unique and magical!

Posted by Lizzy Miles

Hope your first Death Cafe was fabulous. And all the comments above came true. Everything that was said above is exactly what my experience has been now for the last year and a half almost. Gather the people, bring them together to discuss the topic of death and watch the magic happen. I will be forever grateful to my mentor, Lizzy Miles!

Posted by Karen Van Dyke (San Diego)

facilitator in Montreal

I agree with Lizzy, go with the flow. Each event is different depending on who attends. I begin always with the question "what brought you here?". I start with the big group and then divide every one into smaller groups because I know for some people a big group is intimidating. I always serve tea and coffee and cakes and now people bring cake and I ask for a donation to cover costs. And my final advice - enjoy. The people who come are wonderful!

Posted by Kit

Enjoy

Hi Jenn,

Kudos on your first! Let it know how it went. I was a nervous wreck for our first one, and it went just fine.

Posted by Monica

Manager, Last Taboo Project - talking about dying & death

Hi Jenn,
Welcome, Its a great thing to do. Wonderful people come & share unique meaningful stories. People are often very touched, & relieved to have opportunity to speak & feel heard. We start by inviting people to share what's brought them along, with facilitator sharing first, to start the ball rolling...then before you know it it's time to wind up. Its sarisfying to see people arrive unsure, then relax & open up leaving looking connected & satisfied. Enjoy... it ripples out..

Posted by Leanne Skipsey ( Melbourne, Australia)