Latest Death Cafe News
Resource: "Spirit Matters:How to Remain Fully Alive with a Life-Limiting Illness"
Posted by bettybetty on Oct. 29, 2013, 4:15 p.m.
Hospice nurse with 24 years of experience relates what is most importaant in end-of-life care. Information the medical community is not sharing.
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Brisbane
Posted by Death Cafe Brisbane on Oct. 29, 2013, 1:12 p.m.
On a beautiful Brisbane evening twenty two people from varying walks of life gathered to chat about death, from their own perspective.
A group of organisers and facilitators guided, listened, encouraged as guests shared their unique perspective on death. Whether it was a tragic death, the layering of grief, working in palliative care, assisting people with a 'good death'... it didn't matter, the groups loved sharing their wisdom, their stories.
An essential part of the evening was the coffee, the cheese and biccies and of course, the cake. Nothing like helping difficult conversations with food.
Adding to the occasion, a classic vintage American hearse was parked outside ...
some deaths are sad... even the dark angel cries at it
#sadness
For many years now I have told everyone I'll die when I'm 80. I'm now 74 and the nearer the deadline gets, the more exciting, meaningful and in-the-present life becomes.
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe at Cafe Rouge in Hampstead, London
Posted by Josefine Speyer on Oct. 25, 2013, 7:31 a.m. 1 comment
This Death Café was again fully booked in advance. Some people cancelled, some on the day whilst I was out and others just were not able to attend. Some emailed on the day and came along without me expecting them, one of them a young journalist from TimeOut magazine. Well, it all worked out fine on the night and we had a great evening together!
Philomena Corrigan (death doula) and Sharon Young (PdD student) and I each facilitated a table of about 6 – 9 people. Having intended to get started by 7pm after a 6.30pm arrival, we finally got settled and sorted by 7.15pm, much later ...
Death Knells is a website dedicated to quotes about death. It is run by John Wadsworth who has excellent taste - recommended!
Death Cafe write up: BBC Recording a Death Cafe
Posted by clareslaney on Oct. 23, 2013, 3:35 p.m.
9 or so of us settled down to begin the evening, all of us well over 30 years old some of us in our 80’s, and then a group of 10 young people, no one older than 24 arrived and our cosy circle opened wide!
The discussion was fluid and respectful, moving from personal experiences of bereavement; the comfort of being able to talk with dying parents and the pain of being prevented from speaking about a death that is so obviously happening; to having a sense of how ordinary death is, how integrated it can be into life at the same time as being mysterious.
We ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe Eugene/Springfield
Posted by Death Cafe Eugene/Springfield on Oct. 23, 2013, 10:38 a.m. 3 comments
The Second Death Cafe in the Eugene Springfield area was held last night at a little resale shop on Main Street in Springfield, Oregon. Twenty five participants sat around small tables with candles, table cloths, linen napkins, silverware, and china. Ambient lighting was provided by lamps placed next to tables around the room. The cake counter included a gluten free option and Halloween themed cakes. Although coffee was provided, most people drank decaf or tea.
The first hour of small group conversation was lively. At the end of the evening, during the whole group debrief, participants reported experiencing an unexpectedly open, interesting, and inspiring conversation with others about ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe - Palatine
Posted by Kristen on Oct. 23, 2013, 6:59 a.m.
We had a great turn out for our first shot at hosting the Death Cafe. 30 people showed up to eat and chat, which was our maximum capacity, we literally filled the place!
We started the evening with some quick introductions and reasons for attending. I gave some background on what Death Cafes are all about and opened the floor for topics of conversation.
We spoke about some of the characteristics of people who are dying, which lead into discussion about end of life situations. Lots of stories were shared about being with a loved one as they passed away.We talked about family dynamics, good and bad ...
New Blog post: A father's gift
Posted by Leo Simmons on Oct. 22, 2013, 4:39 p.m. 6 comments
Unusually for November in northern England, the weather was being reasonable. The rain had disappeared and had been replaced by cold, bright, rather cloudy days as if to ease our return to the country of our birth. I was in England with my son and daughter for just a week, and for a very specific reason. Sitting alone now in the small meeting room, I waited for someone special to be brought in. My mind ...
Death Cafe write up: Denver's 2nd Death Cafe
Posted by Anita Larson on Oct. 22, 2013, 3:09 p.m.
The red and gold leaves of autumn glistened as 36 participants entered the Heflebower Funeral Home in Highlands Ranch, CO for Denver’s 2nd Death Café. This cozy, comfortable setting looks more like a Colorado mountain lodge than a funeral home. Attendees ranging in age from 27-85 talked about death while sipping tea and enjoying delicious cake.
Anita Larson, Facilitator & Celebrant provided background on the history of Death Café, the rules about no selling or promotion, respectful sharing and honoring all lifestyles and faiths.
A moderator was designated for each of the smaller groups of 5 or 6 and this format allowed for everyone to speak to ...
Death Cafe write up: Charlton House Death Cafe (this is now fully booked)
Posted by charltonhouse on Oct. 22, 2013, 4:07 a.m.
Our first Death Cafe was held in the comfortable Dutch room in Charlton House.
Eleven people attended and participated in discussion ranging from fear of death, talking to parents about their death, respecting people's wishes,how death is viewed in different cultures and religions and death and young people.
Words used to describe people's experience of this Death Cafe included honest, interesting, non pressured, illuminating, real, comfortable, relaxed, emotional, honesty, important, warm, thorough, calm, human.
From the feedback some participants felt that they would have preferred more structure and specific topics while others felt 'good that it was not controlled by anyone' 'good no pressures' and ...
Death Cafe write up: Death Cafe - Millerton NY
Posted by ljoy on Oct. 21, 2013, 8:45 p.m.
Death Cafe Millerton, NY
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Our 3rd DEATH CAFE, and second time meeting at Irving Farm Coffee House, brought out an incredible group of people, with several familiar faces back for yet another evening of deep conversation, good vibes and delicious cake. The group was made up of men and women ranging in age from 40 - 75 and included nurses / former nurses, several published writers/authors and end of life doulas. They came from NY, CT and MA and formed our death cafe "community". The 4 candle-lit tables, each sat 5-6 guests and were arranged to create a cozy feeling. As a way to encourage ...