Latest Death Cafe News
Press: 1. Death Cafes give people a safe place to discuss end of life decisions
Posted by Teddy on Sept. 30, 2014, 7:14 p.m.
Carrie Seidman of the Herald-Tribune in Sarasota, Florida did several interviews with two Death Cafes (in Sarasota and Ocala), as well as a few other organizations related to death and dying.
Alan Young of the Ocala Star Banner was the photographer. The article was published in both newspapers.
Thanks to ...
See more at: Sarasota Herald Tribune and Ocala Star Banner
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe of Ocala
Posted by Teddy on Sept. 30, 2014, 6:34 p.m.
The last three Death Cafe of Ocala meetings flew by! We are still the same, consistent group of 6-10 people, who meet monthly.
And we were interviewed by Carrie Seid, a journalist with the Sarasota Herald Tribune. Her article was published in Sarasota,http://finaljourney.heraldtribune.com/extra.aspx?page=2 as well as in the Ocala Star Banner http://www.ocala.com/article/20140915/ARTICLES/140919801/1455?p=5&tc=pg&tc=ar
Alan Young was the photographer. I would like to thank everyone who participated in these interviews!
New Blog post: Everett, WA would like help setting up a death cafe
Posted by Steve Kahn on Sept. 30, 2014, 12:08 p.m.
Hello. I am getting old and my mind is sliding into senility, though it's not quite completely gone yet. I have been an atheist all my life, but I can work with religious believers if they don't give me a lot of crap. I've helped set up a similar activity to a Death Cafe on Whidbey Island, where I live, but I frequently go to Everett, Wa for my medical care, and ...
Death Cafe write up: Potluck Brunch @ the PDX Death Cafe
Posted by Holly Pruett on Sept. 28, 2014, 11 p.m.
- Provided opportunities for all to speak.
- Shared personal experience without going to great length – just enough to be informative.
- Having a facilitator helped the conversation feel comfortable from the start, but not over-directed.
- Empowered the table to be engaged.
- Well done.
- Sensitive, informative facilitator.
- Wonderful!
- Excellent job! She did a great job of directing the ...
New Blog post: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Posted by Kevin Haselhorst on Sept. 28, 2014, 10:26 p.m.
Routine urinary infections can be life-threatening in elderly patients. Last year my always-organized mother developed disorganized thinking in conjunction with a urinary infection. She claimed over our weekly phone call that her new medication did not make her feel right. She neglected to mention that having a fever was the reason for this medication. The reality of Mom’s apparent confusion indicated she was slipping and not destined to live forever. We needed to have ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Calgary
Posted by Death Cafe Calgary on Sept. 28, 2014, 7:15 p.m. 2 comments
Death Cafe Calgary on Sep 21, 2014 was filled to capacity with 33 attendees and their lively conversations! The Kensington Riverside Inn was a wonderful venue for what turned into a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon. The private patio accommodated many of our guests for the second round of conversations making it easier for everyone to hear one another.
Most liked the opportunity to sit with two groups for 45 minutes each, and a few wished there would have been time for a third group. Several had been to previous Death Cafe events in Calgary, but most were first-time guests. The most commonly used words on the evaluations were ...
Death Cafe write up: Flagstaff August Death Cafe
Posted by aleia@furthershore.org on Sept. 27, 2014, 2:15 p.m.
This Cafe was attended by 31 participants ages 21 to 83, men and women. We enjoyed lemon drizzle cake and chocolate chip cookies. Round table groups of 10 each discussed various topics including:
- miscommunications that can happen between the dying and their loved ones
- the ways that grief can become celebrations of life
- embracing the "presence" of loved ones who have passed
- exploring the ways that avoid mortality (fears, belief in afterliffe, needing 'something more')
- how to start a conversation with VERY reluctant family members about our burial wishes
New Blog post: Announcing plans to open a ‘real’ Death Café in London
Posted by Jon Underwood on Sept. 25, 2014, 10:41 p.m. 28 comments
Super brief summary:
We’re looking to establish a ‘real’ Death Café in London - a physical Death Café that sits at the heart of what is now a worldwide movement. This will be called Death Café London and will be owned and run by the community that funds its set up. If it takes off it could be the first of several. Stay tuned for a share prospectus and more information in the near future ...
Death Cafe write up: Westport Death Cafe
Posted by Val Lovelace on Sept. 25, 2014, 8:18 p.m. 1 comment
We had a wonderful gathering of folks from Westport and surrounding communities, most of whom were new to Death Cafe discussions. One woman celebrated her 73rd birthday by attending with us, saying her family found it a bit surprising that she would want to join a discussion about death.
The conversations moved freely between experiences people had with their dying loved ones to talking about cemation, funerals, and whether it was up to the dead to have a ceremony or not (some felt like they did not want a memorial service or gathering while others felt that memorials are for the living and not the dead). One learned ...
Death Cafe write up: DødsCafe København/Death Cafe Copenhagen
Posted by Karin Westh on Sept. 24, 2014, 3:06 p.m.
We sat around two tables, having coffee, tea and cake. After a short intro and everybody said a little about their intention in participating this evening.
After that the conversations went on at the two different tables: Thoughts, whishes, worries and other dimensions on the topic: death and dying. And of cause, what this means for the quality of life.
If was a warm and giving evening with participants from around 35 to around 80 of age. During the meeting, 2 persons ...
Death Cafe write up: SW London Death Cafe
Posted by Suzanne Michal on Sept. 24, 2014, 8:53 a.m.
We were eight gathered around a very long table. And it very quickly got pretty deeply emotional and profound. The first strong emotion that came up for me was privileged. That is it: I felt privileged for being giving the opportunity to hear stories that people don't normally share. Really poignat and honest stuff. It is so refreshing, so moving and beautiful. Our common humanity definitely shines in those moments.
Bruce shared: "My first Death Cafe turned out to be a wonderfully surprising experience. It was great to be able to share my thoughts and feelings in a safe, respectful gathering. This topic can be so raw ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Marrickville
Posted by mknight on Sept. 22, 2014, 3:44 p.m.
Our first Death Café in Marrickville was launched in spectacular style. Hosted by Lazy Bones Lounge, by night a Jazz club but by day open for Death Café, we met as a group of strangers sitting together in overstuffed couches, dim lighting and eclectic décor all of which was perfect for our conversation.
It had taken some time to find the right location, but I knew I had when after speaking with Craig the owner about the possibility of holding a Death Café he had said to me, “what a great idea”. And the rest is history.
I had woken at 4:00am that morning to bake ...
Death Cafe write up: Carmel Death Cafe in Indiana
Posted by evoci on Sept. 22, 2014, 11:48 a.m.
The Cafe was a lively gathering of people from the local area, including Anderson, IN. Evaluation comments included descriptions such as "inviting, intriguing, timely", interesting, provcative and shared commonalities". and "valuable, spiritual and enlightening."
The environment was described by one person as "peaceful, calming and thoughtful".
The most enjoyable aspect of the Death Cafe included "Hearing stories about death from people with wisdom and different life experiences", "meeting others with compassion", and "Sharing with others who are open in heart and in mind."
Several people signed up for the next cafe being held on Sunday, October 19. To register for this free event, call Elaine at 317-730-5481; seating ...