Latest Death Cafe News
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Hawkes Bay
Posted by Death Cafe Hawkes Bay on June 28, 2017, 10:08 p.m.
We had an overwhelming response to our first Death Cafe with big numbers of people through the door. It was a fantastic informative evening enjoyed by all.
New Blog post: A message from Donna Molloy, Jon Underwood’s wife
Posted by Jools Barsky on June 28, 2017, 5:21 p.m. 80 comments
As you all know the objective of Death Cafe is helping us all 'make the most of our finite lives'. With shocking poignancy on Sunday 25th June we experienced the finiteness of life at its most brutal. And more specifically the finiteness of the life of Jon Underwood, founder of Death Cafe, dad to two truly amazing children and my husband. He was 44.
Comfort is very hard to find right now, but there is ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Austin - North
Posted by Heather Black on June 27, 2017, 3:35 p.m.
In the last meeting we talked more about avoiding death, and why we need to die. We had some healthcare professionals that talked about disease and the tragedy of dying of some that are very avoidable. We meandered over a number of different topics.
Death Cafe write up: Talk & Treats Death Cafe
Posted by FriendsofHospice on June 26, 2017, 1:32 p.m.
The Talk & Treats Death Cafe in Pullman on June 23 was attended by 6 people. A warm summer evening provided a lovely setting for discussion. It is always a bit magical for people from different backgrounds to bring their thoughts of death to a table so willingly. Some of the comments after the evening expressed a desire to return the next time an event is held, and encouragement for anyone considering attending a death cafe.
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Guernsey
Posted by Karen Leach on June 22, 2017, 5:03 a.m.
Our first Death Cafe was organised in the Concourse at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre, Guernsey. The café took place during Dying Matters week and ran from 3pm - 6pm.
Throughout the afternoon about 15 people came in and many of them stayed quite a while to chat. Most of them were from the older age group and had suffered the loss of a partner, but there were a few younger people who were wanting to find out how they could best support bereaved people in their friendship group. We had a number of leaflets, from CAB, local undertakers and Dying Matters week and people seemed quite interested in taking ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Zarautz
Posted by Iñaki Peña Bandrés on June 15, 2017, 2:55 p.m.
Date: June 7th, 2017.
Place: Hotel Alameda. Zarautz (Basque Coutry).
Hosts: Amaia Artze and Iñaki Peña.
In this second edition at our town, 18 people attended the event. Most of them were women (14:4).
Almost half of the attendants were over 65 years-old. But there was a couple from Zumaia, a mother with her son, 20 years-old. It was really interesting listening to him, his thoughts, his experience.
Most of the people who came over would like to repeat some time. Next one, probably in september.
Practitioners question: DeathCafe vs. Bereavement group
Posted by mikekosim on June 13, 2017, 11:01 a.m. 2 comments
So I know that we're to make clear that deathcafe isn't a bereavement group. Can anyone tell me when talking about your relationship with death crosses into a bereavement group? I need to be really clear on this, as I am looking to host one.
Thanks so much ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Whangarei
Posted by Jo Moselen on June 13, 2017, 4:39 a.m.
This death cafe was facilited and hosted by Jo Samuel and Jo Moselen.
There were 8 participants including Jo and Jo.
Everyone enjoyed a well facilited discussion which included personal experience with death and the common desire to reclaim this end of life transition. There was some good information sharing and everyone would strongly encourage others to attend a death cafe.
Some of the participants words - caring, sharing freely, warmth, enlightening, gentle, informative, affirming, connecting, inspiring.
A very successful first death cafe.
Death Cafe write up: Whangarei's 2nd Death Cafe
Posted by Jo Moselen on June 13, 2017, 4:15 a.m. 1 comment
The death cafe was facilitated by Jane Cunningham. (Jo Samuel and Jo Moselen an unexpected conflicting event) We enlisted the help of Jane Cunningham who graciuosly embraced the task. There were 4 participants.
All the participants rated the event highly and enjoyed a lively friendly discussion with like minded people with one person commenting on being inspired to forge ahead with ideas around being a doula.
All participants would encourage others to attend a death cafe.
Some suggestions for improvement around refreshments which are limited by the cafe in the venue.
Some words from the participants - Nurturing, Gentle, very friendly, community, helpful, want more, kind, inspiring, relaxed.
Another ...
Practitioners question: Funeral Director premises as a venue?
Posted by ClaireBradford on June 12, 2017, 12:37 p.m. 2 comments
Hi all
I'm thinking about starting up a DC. My first one will probably be in the community centre cafe but when I mentioned it to one of the Funeral Directors I work with, he suggested I could hold them in their new premises when it's completed next ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Taunton
Posted by Nicole Durman on June 10, 2017, 3:49 a.m.
The first ever Death Cafe Taunton was held on Saturday, 20th May, at the Creative Innovation Centre on Paul Street. Nicole Stanfield Caile was the organiser. Over twenty people attended to discuss topics ranging from funeral plans to hospice care to ghosts to life goals. Delicious cake, gravestone biscuits, and hot drinks were enjoyed by all. In addition to the fantastic conversation, attendees also were able to view a bamboo shroud which was brought by Mrs. Stanfield Caile, as well as a beautiful rainbow wicker coffin which was brought by Wallace Stuart Funeral Directors. The event was so successful that there will be another planned at the same ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Duluth / Superior
Posted by Pals on June 8, 2017, 7:46 p.m. 1 comment
This was the first Duluth/Superior Death Cafe. Hosted by Paul Schneider and Laura Star. For our fisrt gathering we had 10 attendees. During our introductions many topics for discussion came up. Business/corporate/financial aspect; "questions keep coming up about death"; Honoring this part of our journey; reincarnation, dreamtime; truth, consciousness not local; fear was a good part of the conversation. Fear of discomfort, fear of aging, fear of social ideals of death. All just wanting an opportunity for open discussion. As a group, we remained as one group for our time together. Communication flowed flawlessly and open. It was an amazing group of people and amazing ...
Death Cafe write up: Sacramento Death Cafe
Posted by Death Cafe Sacramento - Sandra Young on June 6, 2017, 9:26 p.m.
As the facilitator of the Sacramento Death Cafe, I was concerned last winter when some personal health issues and a death in my family presented challenges in keeping our meetings on schedule.
As often occurs, a beautiful thing came out of these difficult circumstances...the Sacramento DC group stepped up to keep the meetings going, and right on schedule. They exhibited a strong commitment to the goals of our group, and generously gave of their time, energy and love to offer a safe place for those that needed to talk about death and dying issues.
I was reminded how critical and life-changing our gatherings may be for those ...
Death Cafe write up: North London Death Cafe
Posted by northlondonhospice on June 5, 2017, 9:18 a.m.
Our first death cafe during Dying Awareness week was well attended by 14 people. For a number it was their first visit to the hospice. Following an initial introduction, the group split into two - conversation, laughter and tea flowed and the event was a huge success
Death Cafe write up: Vancouver Death Cafe
Posted by Janet Rivers on June 2, 2017, 2:01 p.m.
We had 14 attending on June 01 at our Friends for Life location. We served ginger tea and an elegant chocolate anglefood cake. It was decided to stay as one group rather than split. The sharing got very personal at one point and we had to redirect the conversation, but in the end all the comments were very good.