Latest Death Cafe News
Death Cafe write up: Monmouth County Death Cafe
Posted by Beth Almerini on July 19, 2017, 2:47 p.m.
A death doula, a thanantologist, a retired nurse, a few Quakers, a few people who had cared for dying loved ones and some people intrigued by the idea of talking about death walked into a room and were glad they did! We shared personal stories, tried to figure out why the death care system is the way it is, talked about death doulas and how to work with people who are dying. And then we enjoyed cake and kept on talking. We decided to do it again in August!
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Iowa
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on July 19, 2017, 10:36 a.m.
July’s Death Café was the 7th for Death Café Iowa of the year. For this meeting we met at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Carrie Bauer and Buffy Peters (members of the Young Bereavement Professionals Group) facilitated the group. We had 7 people (all women) in attendance ranging in ages and professions. Introductions seemed to focus on events that has happened in our lives since the last Death Café. We talked quite a bit about Jon Underwood’s death, funeral and the legacy he left behind. Other topics initially discussed were a member’s trip to China and the quality of ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Iowa
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on July 19, 2017, 10:03 a.m.
This was the 6th for the Death Café Iowa Group for 2017. We met at Caribou Coffee on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. Carrie Bauer, Carmen Elliott, and Buffy Peters (members of the Young Bereavement Professionals Group) facilitated the group. We had 9 people (8 women, 1 man) in attendance and they ranged in ages and professions. Some topics that came up during introductions were: green cremation, cremation by freezing, wanting an ‘advanced directive kit’, sound wave tattoos and the app that makes listening to your loved ones voice via the sound wave tattoo possible, cremated remains in an urn in a stuffed animal (comforting for ...
Death Cafe write up: Ann Arbor Death Cafe
Posted by Merilynne Rush on July 17, 2017, 9:14 a.m.
Very moving discussion with so many present who had had a recent, profound loss. We also discussed our gratitude for Jon Underwood and the impact of his work world-wide. Questions and thoughts:
Is there a connection between our own physical symptoms and someone's death? For example, someone having very low blood pressure while, unbeknownst to him, his mother was dying?
How do we connect to those who have passed? Sometimes we get signs from them immediately and sometimes it takes a few months for signs to appear.
What do we learn from near-death experiences? Many of us have had them, not alwasy in the dramatic form we ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Seattle
Posted by Amanda Allen on July 13, 2017, 11:25 p.m.
This Death Cafe was very enlightening about what people percieve as success in life, and how the preceding generation to ours found attachment in things over experience. We discussed how anxiety can prevent people from living, and how our attachment to things can do the same. We talked about the surprise of death, or how people will allow themselves to seem more needy than they might be because they're afraid of being forgotten if they stop needing help.
Our group is beautiful and sweet, and I believe most of us left with thoughts on how we can minimalize our belongings to the imortant things and leave our ...
Death Cafe write up: Hornby Island, BC Death Cafe XI
Posted by Sylvia Sienikehä Elysiana on July 9, 2017, 12:48 a.m.
A truly beautiful gathering.
Death Cafe write up: Vancouver Death Cafe
Posted by Janet Rivers on July 7, 2017, 7:02 p.m.
This was a smaller group with just 10, but lively conversation. Comments all good and cake delicious. We will take a break over the summer and are planning a fall series.
Janet
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Duluth / Superior
Posted by Pals on July 6, 2017, 8:48 a.m.
Our gathering last night was held in honor of Jon Underwood. Great grattitude was expressed for his work and the continuation of Death Cafe. It seems as though people want to talk about death, and are gratefull to have the place to do it. New comers were present and the conversation was very interesting and flowing. Topics of fear, connecting with the Ancesters, soul fragmentation, and reincarnation were brought up and discussed. The idea of having the funeral before death was brought up. Physco Drama was talked about. All in all, it was another fascinating gathering with very interesting conversation. And of course, the cake and tea was ...
New Blog post: Before Jon's funeral - words from Jon's mother-in-law Carol
Posted by Jools Barsky on July 5, 2017, 4:16 p.m.
A tribute to my lovely son-in-law Jon Underwood
You were a special person but it's only now you're gone I realise how special a person you really were.
I was quite intolerant of Death Cafe because I didn't understand it. I'm afraid to say you can still learn lessons no matter how old you are, but just because I didn't understand or agree doesn't make it wrong, it was ...
Death Cafe write up: The Lewisham Death Cafe
Posted by LewishamDeathCafe on July 4, 2017, 12:22 p.m.
We met as usual at Costa Coffee in Rushey Green Catford SE6.
There were five of us on this occasion but we were pleased to be able to welcome a newcomer who had had some previous experience of a Death Cafe and was much welcomed.
She had also written a number of articles for journals and newpapers about Death and Dying so we gratefully shared our several views and experiences about Death, and Dying with her.
As usual, we found that during the two hours of our meeting there was no lack of things people wanted to talk about.
WE HAVE NOW MET EVERY MONTH SINCE WE STARTED ...
Death Cafe write up: LGBTQ+ Death Cafe
Posted by nickbaggio on July 4, 2017, 10:40 a.m.
Very well attended - many different views and perspectives presented - felt to be really worthwhile and partipants felt it should be repeated.
We hade lots of different cakes made by both the facilitators and some of the participants!
New Blog post: Funeral for Death Cafe pioneer Jon Underwood breaks new ground
Posted by Jools Barsky on July 3, 2017, 12:39 p.m. 6 comments
Jon’s family have been overwhelmed by the love and support they have received from the Death Cafe community following Jon’s sudden death this week.
As we have read in so many of the beautiful tributes that have poured in over the last few days, Jon’s work was ground-breaking and pioneering. His funeral will be no exception.
The Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London meant a lot to Jon. He gave up a well ...
New Blog post: Bardo gates a new visitor
Posted by Saidosio on June 30, 2017, 2:46 p.m.
We ask that a breath and a pause and a bow be taken, wishing Jon prostrations on his journey.
Jon early on supported our Asheville Death Cafe and I enjoyed his tremendous impact in carrying out his vision
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Whitstable
Posted by Julie on June 30, 2017, 6:16 a.m.
Thank you everyone for attending our Death Cafe on Saturday, we had a lovely afternoon, and discussed a wide range of topics. Conversation flowed with everyone contibuting. This turned out to be a well attended session with a diverse mix of beliefs and attitudes. All in all a very interesting afternoon. A big shout out to The Umbrella Centre, for letting us use their colourful room, and The Umbrella Cafe, for their great coffee and cakes. They always make us feel so welcome. Our next Death Cafe will be the 16th September 2017 at the same venue and times.
Many Thanks & see you in september!
Julie & Sue
New Blog post: Message from Jon's friend Mark and how to help
Posted by MarkMorris on June 29, 2017, 4:35 p.m. 10 comments
In 2011, Jon came to ask for the help of his family and friends with an idea he had had. That idea was Death Cafe, with its mission to increase awareness of death to help people make the ...