Latest Death Cafe News
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Bendigo
Posted by Bridget on Jan. 5, 2024, 12:23 a.m. 1 comment
Facilitated by Bridget Allan of Lotus Reflections (Aust) - Death Doula, Meditation Teacher and Reiki Therapist.
2023 was a new beginning for the Death Cafe in Bendigo, Victoria Australia. Generously supported by our venue provider, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.
Through these gatherings, we've witnessed the courage and generosity of individuals facing their mortality head-on, embracing the uncertainty with grace and resilience. We've explored the complexities of grief, acknowledging that it's not a linear process but a unique journey for each person.
Our discussions have navigated through the intricacies of sensitive topics, from diagnosis of life threatening and terminal illness to the profound impact of ...
Death Cafe write up: City of Roses Death Cafe
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Jan. 1, 2024, 10:34 a.m.
Our last City of Roses Death Cafe of 2023 was attended by 19 people. We enjoyed a lively discussion of how death has touched us--loss of a childhood friend, sudden loss of a loved one who falls and is dead less than a day later, loss of a parent, a sibling, a chlld. One participant described living through the darkest times of the AIDS pandemic, and then living with those memories.
As usual, we talked about how hard it can be to discuss death: one participant invited a friend who responded that they didn't like the sound of "Death Cafe." Another invited a friend who has a ...
Death Cafe write up: Withington Death Cafe
Posted by Davide Erbogasto on Dec. 28, 2023, 4:48 a.m.
The first Death Cafe at Withington Methodist Church was cosy, with tea, coffee and cake. As it was a new event in the area, the numbers were limited, but two people external to the congregation came, as well as two people from the congregation. The conversation flowed for an hour and people found it really beneficial.
New Blog post: I fear death all the time for 40 years
Posted by anngottesman on Dec. 25, 2023, 12:15 a.m.
I came across some undated blog posts with comments but couldn't find a way to add a comment so I'm posting this hoping some of those who posted about their fear of death (thanataphobia) will see this post. I've been living with this horrible fear since the age of about 7. I'm now 48. I enjoy life but can't stop thinking about the fact I will die and everyone I ...
New Blog post: Our Last Goodbye
Posted by Clare-Marie on Dec. 23, 2023, 7:21 a.m.
Come close, sit down beside me, reach out and take my hand our time together is nearly done
The moments I have left I now want to savour surrounded by you my loved ones that have made my life complete
I hear weeping as someone strokes my hair, tears fall and rest on my face soothing my frail delicate skin.
Is it yours, mine or a combination of both united in the moment the journey ...
Practitioners question: Update on Trademark fundraising
Posted by Jools Barsky on Dec. 17, 2023, 6:52 p.m. 3 comments
Hi Death Cafe community,
I’m reaching out with some incredible news about our trademark renewal. Your astonishing support has helped us surpass our £4,500 target, reaching £5,410. This is a powerful testament to the strength and unity of the Death Cafe movement.
This campaign has been about ...
Death Cafe write up: Virtual Death Cafe Iowa
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Dec. 11, 2023, 2:39 p.m.
We had a virtual Death Café meeting on November 21, 2023 via Zoom. Buffy Peters from Hamilton’s Academy of Grief & Loss was our facilitator. There were a total of five people who joined Buffy online.
During our time, we discussed the importance of finding people who are comfortable talking about death and dying, which Death Café is a comfort zone. It was mentioned that providers having comfort during conversations about death and dying can be valuable for patients and a great resource. Listening is so important while talking to someone about death & dying. We spent time discussing different words used to talk about death, dying, and how ...
Practitioners question: Protecting our legacy - Death Cafe trademark
Posted by Jools Barsky on Dec. 9, 2023, 7:12 a.m.
Hi Death Cafe community,
Today, I want to share an important milestone in our journey: the renewal of the Death Cafe trademark. This isn't just a routine task; it's a crucial step to safeguard the open, honest discussions about death and dying that define Death Cafe.
Why renew ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Dunedin NZ
Posted by AnkesDeathCafe on Dec. 6, 2023, 4:25 a.m.
Death Cafe write up: Shepherdstown WV Death Cafe: Tea, Cake and Conversation
Posted by Tracy Seffers on Dec. 5, 2023, 12:58 p.m. 2 comments
For our inaugural offering, we had 11 community members come for tea and cake (gratefully received), amazing conversation, and not a little laughter.
Tracy opened the session with a reading of Mary Oliver's "When Death Comes".
The usual round of introductions included an invitation to "tell us why you are here" - prompting lovely stories, with much head nodding and affirmation around the circle.
Questions ranged from, "Why do we not want to tell people that we are sick until it's too late?" to "What do you want to come back as in your next life?"
Several wonderful books were mentioned as resources:
- "The Book of Two ...
New Blog post: Death Café flourishes in Latin America: a brief history
Posted by Wilka Roig on Nov. 28, 2023, 4:12 p.m.
In September 2014 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, El Faro Asociación, under the direction of Viviana Bilezker, held the first Death Cafe in Latin America. Expectant and somewhat nervous about how it would turn out, members of the El Faro team received 30 people. After giving the guidelines, a tense silence was generated until a participant commented: “Today is a good day to talk about death because Gustavo Cerati—an Argentine musician who had been ...
Death Cafe write up: Washington DC Congressional Cemetery Death Cafe
Posted by Laura Lyster-Mensh - HCC on Nov. 20, 2023, 4:59 p.m.
It was a lively conversation visited by several dogs who ran into the chapel curious about what we were doing. With lovely sweet snacks provided by the Congressional Cemetery staff, we settled in to conversation that circled and grew. Even the silences were thoughtful.
What an impactful evening. Thank you to all who come out.
Death Cafe write up: City of Roses Death Cafe
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Nov. 19, 2023, 6:46 p.m.
Saturday afternoon 24 of us gathered for tea, cake and gluten free cookies. Our large group touched on the difficulty some people have responding to us when we mention a seriously ill family member or a death that we are grieving; how to develop meaningful rituals celebrating a life; and the pain that a life ended by suicide can leave in its wake. Several of us described the impact of living through the AIDS pandemic has had on us.
Thanks to the generosity of QM we had not one, but two chocolate cakes to enjoy. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of others, the dishes were washed and dried and ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Whangarei
Posted by Jo Moselen on Nov. 19, 2023, 6:01 p.m.
We were a group of seven women who gathered at The Fat Camel Café in Whangarei, NZ, the third time we have gathered at this venue. We don’t ask for RSVP’s, so it’s always surprise as to how many people will attend. I was the facilitator (Jo Moselen) along with support from my colleague Jo Samuel. Being a small group with most people knowing each other or at least acquainted in some way it was a relaxed an intimate gathering where we discussed, End of life choice - how it is and isn't working, the work underway to support an advanced directive for Dementia in ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe in Oval, London
Posted by Poetra on Nov. 17, 2023, 11:43 a.m.
After my brother died I sought out music, films and theatre plays on grief, death, loss etc. I came across Bella Beesom's one-woman play "My World Has Exploded A Little Bit" about the deaths of her parents, and in particular father. I went and saw her at the Oval Theatre.
After the play she announced a Death Cafe the following weekend. Never heard of a "death cafe" and registered. Several people signed up, but it ended up only Be;;a and myself chatting. Been to several Death cafe's since and everyone is very uniques and recommendable. Thanks again.
Petra