Hosted by Josefine Speyer with assistance from Sharon Young, Philomena Corrigan and others

This Death Cafe has taken place

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About this Death Cafe

We have room for up to 25 participants. Please arrive early and order your food and drink as soon as possible so we can make a prompt start. (Make sure you give the waiter your name and table number to minimise disruption.)

About Josefine Speyer with assistance from Sharon Young, Philomena Corrigan and others

Josefine Speyer is a UKCP registered psychotherapist in private practice in London since 1985. With her husband Nicholas Albery she founded the Natural Death Centre (NDC) in 1991, an educational charity of which she is now a patron. The NDC provides advice and information on funerals via its free help line and through the Natural Death Handbook.

Josefine specialises in death education workshops, study days and Death Salons to help people think and talk about death as a natural part of life and to educate them about choices. Since November 2012 she has hosted Death Cafés at her home in NW London and elsewhere. She holds monthly Death Cafés at Café Rouge in Hampstead, London.

Sharon Young, has practiced as a Physiotherapist for 15 years both in the UK and Denmark before studying for an MA and currently a PhD in Politics and Human Rights. Having a clinical background has provided a practical insight and understanding of illness and the dying process whilst academic study has enabled her to see the wider social, cultural and political issues surrounding death and dying.

"Considering the pace of life and increasing individualism in our modern society, I feel that the Death Café makes a valuable contribution to demystifying some of the taboos surrounding death and dying. In addition, speaking about personal concerns regarding the end of life within a safe and respectful environment provides a level of intimacy, openness and honesty which is perhaps lacking in our community and networks.”

Philomena Corrigan volunteers as a Marie Curie helper. This involves befriending clients with a life-limiting illness during the final months of their lives. She is also completing her training to become an End-of-Life-Doula. This role is similar to that of a Childbirth Doula who supports women at the beginning of a life. An EOL Doula is an ‘amicus mortis’ or friend at death. This new role is part of a ‘compassionate communities’ approach, that sees the end of life as everyone’s concern.  

Philomena retired last year, after forty odd years as a nurse practitioner and teacher. She thinks that facing the reality of death is a great motivator for appreciating life, for living every day with gratitude. For this, and other reasons, Philomena describes herself as a ‘death missionary’. She will raise the subject of death and dying in polite company and discuss it with anyone who shows an interest!

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