Latest Death Cafe News
Death Cafe write up: Highcliffe Death Cafe
Posted by Lis Horwich on Jan. 22, 2015, 6:49 a.m.
On a grey and misty afternoon we met and talked amongst many subjects what the perfect funeral might be like. We listened to many songs, had some laughs, and talked about visiting funeral directors and woodland burials.
Rivers and poets
Are veins and arteries
Of a country.
Rivers flow like poems
For animals, for birds
And for human beings-
The dreams that rivers dream
Bear fruit in the fields
The dreams that poets dream
Bear fruit in the people-
- Seshendra Sharma
Seshendra Visionary poet of the millennium ...
New Blog post: Goodbye Sweet Jack
Posted by veragibson on Jan. 21, 2015, 3:10 p.m.
She was so excited when she shared the news with me that she was pregnant. A couple of hours later, I had a vision of her carrying a baby in her arms, swaddled in a blue blanket, a blue toque on his head. It would be a boy! Motherhood was a journey she could hardly wait to embark upon. Becoming a grandmother was something I had been eagerly awaiting, as it would mark yet another ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe at University of Nevada Reno
Posted by Paula Schneider on Jan. 21, 2015, 12:44 p.m.
Our event was attended by more than 25 people, some of whom were deaf. The two interpreters who were with them did a great job of signing and the six deaf attendees said they felt at home and included. Evaluations revealed everyone who attended felt heard and accepted. There were many interesting topics and these topics were first discussed in small groups then we formed a large group after refreshments. We considered the question, "Have you ever had a nighttime dream that you died?" and a lively, fascinating 45-minute discussion followed with many stories and dreams being shared. This death cafe was magical, rich, and filled with excellent ...
Death Cafe write up: Lowcountry Death Cafe
Posted by Jan Schreiber on Jan. 19, 2015, 3:35 p.m.
After a week of nasty weather, the sun came out for the first Death Cafe in South Carolina! Refraining from requesting an RSVP, I was delighted that 11 people attended. Held in a yoga studio, with homemade cakes, coffee + tea - it appears to have been a resounding success!
A few attendees were recent widows, others already familiar with the website, some just curious & one person had traveled several hours to join us.
All were very positive in their feedback:
"opened a pathway to both tears & laughter", "so comfortable","its not about only death, its about humanity","safe + open environment", interesting perspectives", and "got an idea for my next ...
Death Cafe write up: Exmouth Death Cafe
Posted by Exmouthdeathcafe on Jan. 18, 2015, 12:21 p.m.
What a great first meeting! Looking forward to the next one in February! :-)
Death Cafe write up: Tuonen Tupa Death Cafe
Posted by kmarttinen on Jan. 16, 2015, 4:42 a.m.
This Saturday afternoon was the most interesing yet. We had invited people representing different religious and ateist ideologies and a few more showed up in addition. There was an orthodox christian and a lutheran priest, representative from Bahai-religion and a freethinker. Among the 50 people were meny combinations of these guests and some that were familiar with more Eastern relgions like buddhism and hindu.
Being from different ideologies, we could have been at each other's throats or in a heated conversation, but everything went really well. Some bold comments were made, but in conclusion all the different ways of thinking pointed out that whatever is beyond death ...
Death Cafe write up: Providence Death Cafe
Posted by Cassandra Tribe on Jan. 15, 2015, 9:20 p.m.
10 of us gathered on this chill night to talk death and eat some carrot cake. Alack, no Jack - as the timing was off - but nimble were the fingers of his companion to check the 'net to track down links and titles of books as they were mentioned. It was the picture of the angel of death cradling a newborn that brought the talk to the death of the newborn and infant, memento mori and Santa Muerte. From there we talked about the contrasting cremation videos that were going around and the difference between the desire to die in the suicidal, and the desire to die in the ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe - Toronto West
Posted by lindafhochstetler@gmail.com on Jan. 14, 2015, 9:15 p.m.
Who knew that we could find 24 people interested in talking about death and dying on a cold, winter's nights. We packed the Belljar Cafe and took over the entire front end of the cafe. We laughed, we cried, but then we laughed some more. This was definitely a gathering with the youngest group of attendees, compared with other Death Cafes in the region, with nearly half in their 20's or 30's. Some are training for the role of funeral director, while others were simply practictioners of Buddhism. Everyone expressed an interest in coming together again for another such evening, possibly in April again.
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Birmingham
Posted by carrieweekes on Jan. 13, 2015, 6:31 a.m.
11th January 2015
What better place to host a Death Café than Birmingham’s newest heritage attraction The Coffin Works?
We gathered to talk about all aspects of death and dying on a cold Sunday afternoon. We ate cakes, drank tea and laughed. Yes laughed! It’s always lovely to hear so much laughter happening at a Death Café.
Some people were returning to Death Café, others were new. All were completely engaged and ready to chat. We had a menu on hand if conversation slowed, but it wasn't really necessary. Once people start talking they don't want to stop!
As ever, I will hand ...
Death Cafe write up: Highcliffe Death Cafe
Posted by Lis Horwich on Jan. 13, 2015, 2:33 a.m.
This dark and windy winter night we discussed among many topics the recent depate prompted by the former editor of BMJ Richard Smith:
What is the perfect death?So death from cancer is the best.You can say goodbye, reflect on your life, leave last messages, perhaps visit special places for a last time, listen to favourite pieces of music, read loved poems, and prepare, according to your beliefs, to meet your maker or enjoy eternal oblivion. We didn't all agree with this view mind you.
Blessed are we to know truly beautiful people, who walk the earth with a gentle voice and their own song.
When these souls go, tears flood the spaces but when they dry, there are precious memories and nostalgia that keeps us going, and remembering the love.
Grief can reawaken one's senses in a positive way...treasure each moment with those special people, even after they are gone...
Death Cafe write up: Seaside Death Cafe
Posted by carolineboaz on Jan. 12, 2015, 2:04 p.m.
This was the first time that I hosted a Death Cafe' and it was successful beyond my dreams. We had 23 attendees and a resounding "Let's have this every month!" The Seaside Center for Spiritual Living was an excellent venue and is open to being the host site going forward. We are planning the next Cafe' for March so watch for for that posting. Thank you to everyone that came and shared from their hearts. Thank you Seaside for providing a lovely place to meet.
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Winchester, VA
Posted by Mary Jane Lee on Jan. 12, 2015, 1:49 p.m.
On January 4, 2015 seven people met at Steamy's for a very interesting and intimate meeting discussing death, dying, restored memory, and active dreams. There was one new person to the group, a younger woman, who provided a fresh wisdom and insight into perceptions of death and the profound awareness of its presence as part of life.
A real dream of equanimity during a violent death provided a stunning awareness of how our lives provide us opportunity for presence at the time of death.
All participants express value for their time together and appreciation of the venue and one another.
We will continue to meet on the ...