Death Cafe

Death Cafe profile for Jay S. "Alohajay"

Location: Canada

https://www.meetup.com/edmontondeathcafe

About Jay S. "Alohajay":

My spiritual journey began in 2003 and has taken me through many meaningful experiences—from meditation courses to Native sweat lodges. These inspired me to create and facilitate 18 Native drum-building workshops over the years, connecting people with tradition, creativity, and community.

In 2018, several close deaths in a short time deeply affected me. To support my own healing, I attended grief workshops and Death Cafés. From 2018 to 2020, these gatherings became a vital source of belonging and connection during a lonely season of grief.

Since December 2018, I’ve been publishing a grief newsletter that shares events, resources, and gentle support for others walking the grief journey.

In January 2026, I felt a strong calling to step into a new role. The universe offered clear signs that it was time to host and facilitate Death Café events myself—and so I began. I’m grateful to now hold space for open, honest conversations about death, dying, and living fully.

I’m here because these conversations matter, and I look forward to sharing this space with you.

What brings you to Death Cafe?

I’m drawn to Death Cafe for the rare chance to have six-foot-deep conversations about death—bold, honest, and unafraid—venturing into territory where everyday talk rarely goes. These gatherings remind us we’re not alone in facing our finite lives; sharing openly dissolves isolation and fosters real human connection, far more nourishing than any digital exchange.

As a host, I’m committed to consistency because it builds trust. I am hosting two Death Cafés per month from March to December 2026, and after a two-year pause, I’m resurrecting them with renewed dedication—aiming for regular, reliable events again starting now.

I value being organized (about 90% structure, 10% beautiful chaos) so everyone feels respected, welcomed, and safe to speak from the heart. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, grief, reflection, or simply the desire to live more fully knowing death awaits, I’m grateful to hold this space with you. Let’s talk about what matters.

Thoughts for sharing:

Faith — is the Pierless Bridge by Emily Dickinson

Faith — is the Pierless Bridge
Supporting what We see
Unto the Scene that We do not —
Too slender for the eye

It bears the Soul as bold
As it were rocked in Steel
With Arms of Steel at either side —
It joins — behind the Veil

To what, could We presume
The Bridge would cease to be
To Our far, vacillating Feet
A first Necessity.