Latest Death Cafe News

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe - Sydney

Posted by April Lewis on Dec. 7, 2014, 6:27 a.m. 1 comment

We know Death is an inevitable part of life yet we try to pretend that it won’t happen to us, why is it that we ignore the inevitability of this and don’t discuss it openly, are we hoping it will go away and not be realised.
To be in a space purposefully to talk about death and the feelings
surrounding it stimulated a range of emotions and thoughts, the most profound for me was the simple fact no matter what colour, creed or culture we are, we are all subject to it. How we process it as individuals differs
but it is the one absolute commonality ...

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Marrickville

Posted by mknight on Dec. 6, 2014, 11:19 p.m.

Our December Death Café, the final for this year, once again drew people from diverse backgrounds, interests, life experience and profession. Sitting in our usual assortment of overstuffed couches and armchairs around a low table laden with cake, we were looked down upon by freshly painted vividly rendered Japanese erotic art which boldly decorated the ceiling. “It is the procreation of life; the perfect complement to death” my host of Lazy Bones Lounge had said.  

As always, the time flew by and as always discussion was free-flowing and moved along at a rapid pace.  What has become consistently evident across each Death Café is that people are deeply ...

Practitioners question: British documentary about assisted dying

Posted by lauramr on Dec. 4, 2014, 1:37 p.m.

Hello - I am writing from Love Productions, an award-winning British factual television company. We are developing a documentary that we hope will raise the awareness of assisted dying in the UK and worldwide. We are looking to speak with people living in the US who have the Death with Dignity ...

New Blog post: Beauty in Dying

Posted by veragibson on Nov. 29, 2014, 11:20 a.m.

Fall equinox.  A new season begins.  Fresh crisp apples.  Juice droplets spraying out with every bite.  The comfort of a favourite sweater. Providing warmth against the cooler air.  Leaves soon to be piled high. Perfect for jumping into.  Moments of pure pleasure.  The most poignant aspect of fall, however, lying in its colours.  Those brilliant hues of oranges, yellows and reds.  Leaves embarking on the last leg of their journey.  Glorious to behold.  Impressed by ...

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Hood River, Oregon

Posted by lanner on Nov. 26, 2014, 1:54 p.m.

We were quite pleased with the way the Hood River Death Cafe turned out.  It was well attended, by 30 people, with a range of ages and interests.  We enjoyed cake, gluten free pastries, and coffee.  Following a round with all thirty folks, we broke into three smaller groups to continue the conversation.  There were several mentions of familial suicides and one attendee had experienced a near death condition.  The feedback has been quite positive with requests for another Death Cafe next year.  All in all it was a good experience.  Thank you to the Hood River County Library District for sponsoring this event.

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Taiwan #4

Posted by CelinJheng on Nov. 26, 2014, 1:37 a.m.

We hold a Death Cafe today in elementary School.

There is a secret person give us a lot of dolls for children
and they are crazy about it.

We taught them how to decrease their sadness if they met somthing which felt miserable.
I believe they learn a lot today.

The fourth Death cafe is successful.
We made it!!!!

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Forest Gate, East London

Posted by Death Cafe Wanstead on Nov. 25, 2014, 4:05 p.m.

On Monday the 10th November, Death Cafe arrived at Forest Gate East London. 

 I have attended a few Death Cafe's over the last couple of years and I've been humbled by their ability to create a beautiful space, where real honesty and courage are present.

But the thing i love, is you really don't know where the conversation will lead, everyone brings something unique to the party. Not quite bring a bottle, but you know what I mean.

One by one the small group of intrepid existential explorers shared  their thoughts and experiences.

We talked about looking after dying parents before and after their death ...

Death Cafe write up: Derwent Valley Death Cafe

Posted by Jet Black on Nov. 25, 2014, 6:05 a.m.

This was my first Death Café. I came with high hopes, an open mind and few expectations of exactly how it would be. 

Billie made a friendly informal introduction, a light sprinkling of 'ground rules', drinks and cake were offered and there was a very welcoming atmosphere, making it easy to start talking to strangers about something so intimate. 

Great start to an important ongoing conversation. 

Well done and thank you all for a stimulating evening. I look forward to the next. 

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Calgary Nov 16, 2014

Posted by Death Cafe Calgary on Nov. 23, 2014, 6:02 p.m.

Death Café Calgary on November 16, 2014 was held at yet another venue.  The Commons was a beautiful location, but a bit challenging to find.  27 attendees were not dissuaded!  Almost half of these brave souls were in attendance for the first time.  Another fabulous thing about this café was the diverse demographic with a good mix of men and women and ages spanning from early 30s to late 90s.  A gentle reminder that death touches everyone and everyone has a story to share.

The setup of the room allowed for a mix of large, open-group conversations as well as smaller, private discussions.  The private booths also permitted ...

Death Cafe write up: Buffalo Death Cafe

Posted by BuffaloDeathCafe on Nov. 22, 2014, 2:13 p.m. 3 comments

What 52-year-old do you know looks forward to a weekly chat group held in Amherst, New York called the “Death Café?” Before one thinks I’m fatalistic or death-obsessed, let’s do the numbers.

We all are born and we all die. We live in an aging society and region where over 16% of Erie County and almost 22% of Amherst is over 65 years old. I figured there would be no shortage of death and dying talk. Conversation about death is not unique to West New York - currently, there are over 1300 Death Cafés in 26 counties - these are registered although I suspect there are more ...

Death Cafe write up: 1. Wiener Death Cafe

Posted by JELLA JOST on Nov. 21, 2014, 8:22 a.m.

Einige Neue sind zu uns gestossen, manche zögern noch auch ganz real zu kommen. Ich habe inzwischen mit Elisabetta Lucchi gesprochen, sie hat das erste Death Cafe in Italien begründet, und ich habe über sie im Augustin geschrieben. Ein spannendes Interview, auch über die Dogmen der Kirche, insbesondere in Italien. Wie immer war das Zusammentreffen - diesmal im Nice Rice bei Giti - erbaulich, erheiternd und befriedigend. Manche/r hat von einem Todesfall berichtet - das beschäftigt die Menschen naturgemäss sehr, vor allem wenn es sich um Familie handelt. Trauer braucht viel Zeit, die genommen werden sollte, oft kann dies auch Jahre dauern, aber wir müssen ...

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Camden Maine!

Posted by plindquist on Nov. 21, 2014, 6:19 a.m.

Camden Maine was the place and a very warm, thoughtful group turned out on a brisk fall evening for this Death Cafe.  

We had different discussions than previous cafes and that was the grace of allowing discussions to come forward!  

It worked well and we had 19 participants, great supporters to provide the space, coffee and cupcakes!   People asked each other how to remain in touch, so connections & support was offered...  I am fortunate to be part of this community, thank you Peter Lindquist

Death Cafe write up: Providence Death Cafe

Posted by Cassandra Tribe on Nov. 20, 2014, 9:31 p.m. 1 comment

From corpses of loved ones found in dumpsters to beloved pets in freezers the conversation took several interesting turns tonight as the Laughing Yoga group clucked like chickens in the background. It provided a surreal soundtrack as we found our footing with each other and slowly traveled the path of conversation. The feel of death briefly became a theme as we compared notes on all the bodies we had touched and that led into a discussion of what was feared most and what we looked forward to the most in death too. From there our merry band of 14 traipsed down the path of what our “good death ...

Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Taiwan #3

Posted by CelinJheng on Nov. 20, 2014, 8:09 p.m.

OMG!!!!!

I made it again!!!

I can't believe !!!

LOL

Death Cafe write up: Westport Death Cafe

Posted by Val Lovelace on Nov. 20, 2014, 7:59 p.m.

The thing i love the most about Death Cafe is that I never know what will come up and I find myself fascinated and delighted as topics arise.

Tonight we enjoyed fresh-baked oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, coffee, tea, and discussions about old photographs, family keepsakes, estate planning, and learning how to keep living and reinventing oneself all the while aging.

A regular Death Cafe visitor talked about how she and her husband have been able to have richer, deeper conversations about their will and estate since attending Death Cafe, and have been talking with their daughter (who is their trustee and executrix).  

Someone asked about natural burial ...