Death Cafe profile for tucsondeathcafe
With Isabel Amorous
April 5, 2017, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
free/donation for refreshments and advertising
Many thanks to Councilman Steve Kozachik and the friendly, helpful staff for providing great spaces for the Tucson community to do great things!
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Jan. 10, 2017, 6:03 p.m.
Tucson Death Cafe swashbuckles into 2017! A wonderful group of Tucsonan’s arrived at our new venue, Ward 6, for our first foray into 2017. Whether we grit our teeth or grin at death, the Grim Reaper finds hearty conversationalists in the Old Pueblo. We chuckled at death-busting patents of the past – like the 18th century “safety coffin,” which included breathing tube, bell and ladder - just in case! And if that appeals – modern variations on this idea are available today. We were beguiled by fascinating faraway holiday travel tales from the Paris catacombs, as well as the closer to home Houston National Funeral Museum and cemeteries of ...
With Isabel Amorous
Feb. 1, 2017, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation for refreshments & supplies
A big thank you to Council Member Steve Kozachik and the Ward 6 staff for the use of their lovely facilities.
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Dec. 19, 2016, 7:38 p.m.
Our Halloween Friendly and Fearless Tucson Death Café was spook-tackular! Several attendees came in alternate visage among them, Witch, Pumpkin, Butterfly Angel, and Pagan Priestess (in her own skin) celebrating the eve of the Celtic New Year - Samhain - with us. Many thanks to the Bride of the Dead who appeared bearing a scary good chocolate spider cake! Our most enigmatic guest was Death “herself.” She was cloaked in black with a golden skull mask and was engaged, beguiling, and fittingly mysterious slipping away at Café’s close without ever uttering a word!
Our topics of interest turned to how awkward knowing what “the right” thing to say is ...
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Dec. 19, 2016, 7:13 p.m.
December brought a beautiful close to a big year of Tucson Death Cafes. We shared thoughts on how to steward conversations on death and dying with family and friends, on death with dignity with and without the layer of legislation, and about pet grief – sharing that loss of beloved companion animals can be socially disenfranchised, but equally as difficult as loss of humans. We had a rich “everything else” breakout group and shared that although Death Café’s are not grief support groups, crying is a normal expression and tissues are always available. We talked about poet and musician Leonard Cohen’s recent departure and how it seemed ...
With Isabel Amorous
Jan. 4, 2017, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation for refreshments & supplies
Thank you to Ward 6 for the use of your community room!
With Isabel Amorous
Dec. 7, 2016, 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation for refreshments & supplies
Thank you to Himmel Park Library!
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Oct. 13, 2016, 5:04 p.m.
Big Thanks to Jeff for hosting September’s café! And thanks to everyone who helped him out. Despite the big impact of hurricane Newton in the Tucson area it was a great café turnout. Some of the topics that came up were historical death rituals and funerary customs, green burials, and death with dignity. Letting you all know that the UA journalism student who visited the ...
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Oct. 13, 2016, 5:01 p.m.
Our October 7th Café was energized, intriguing, and creative. We conversed about the rites, rituals, and reasons for popular events to honor our dead such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Tucson’s own All Souls Procession. We asked the question: “How does “celebration” enter into end-of-life remembrances?” We talked about memento mori – objects that can serve as reminders of our ...
With Isabel Amorous
Oct. 31, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation for refreshments & supplies
Thank you Himmel Park Library!
With Isabel Amorous
Oct. 5, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation for refreshments & supplies
Thank you to Himmel Park Library!
With Isabel Amorous
Sept. 7, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation for refreshments & supplies
Thank you to Himmel Park Library for welcoming Tucson Death Cafe!
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on July 21, 2016, 7:58 p.m.
Thunder, lightening, and rain, REALLY! A gorgeous desert monsoon storm began just as our Monsoon Celebration Café got underway. Upon leaving we were greeted by puddles and those amazing fragrances that come from a rejoicing rain drenched desert. Two main café discussions emerged. One, a conversation about our right to die or death with dignity, who has the “say and the sway” regarding what choices we make for ourselves, and what sensitive issues are part of the quandaries engaging our culture right now. And two, mystery, mystery, and more mystery! What do we think happens when we die, if anything? How have our life experiences, beliefs, families and ...
With Isabel Amorous
Aug. 3, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. (MST)
Free/donation
Rincon Market has agreed to host us as our new expanded location. Thanks Rincon!
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on June 3, 2016, 7:24 p.m.
Lovely Café this month! Conversation topics that arose were fascinating first-hand accounts of death-ways in the Philippines, stories of life and death in assisted living, grievances regarding what some consider are excessive medical directives to extend life at any cost and our important continuing conversations about how to equip ourselves for helping loved ones in their time of departure. Add in some iced hibiscus tea and blueberry cupcakes and what could be better! Bravo to our many first time attendees for braving Tucson’s own Fearless and Friendly Death Café. See you again for our Monsoon Celebration Café July 6, 2016.
With Isabel Amorous
July 6, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free. Donations accepted for refreshments and operating costs.
Bravo Bookmans! This Death Cafe is for Monsoon Celebration.
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on May 6, 2016, 9:21 p.m.
Thank you everyone for supporting Tucson Death Café - Terrific turnout this month! Death Café strives to create a relaxed, safe, and respectful atmosphere where people from all backgrounds with diverse ideas and experiences regarding death and dying can feel free to speak. As reported by previous café attendees it can be a rich and rewarding experience to share as well as to listen.
We had a most excellent evening and enjoyed lemonade, iced tea and yummy chocolate bundt cake – gluten free! Thanks to Claire! Be sure to visit the international website at deathcafe.com. Stay cool and see you June 1st.
With Isabel Amorous
June 1, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
Free. Donations accepted for refreshments and operating costs.
Muchas Gracias Bookmans!
With Isabel Amorous
May 4, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
donations accepted for refreshments
Thank you Bookmans!
With Isabel Amorous
April 6, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (MST)
donations accepted for refreshments
Thanks to Bookman's for their continued support!
With Isabel Amorous
March 2, 2016, 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (Mountain Time Zone)
Donations accepted for refreshments & printing costs
Thanks to Bookman's for their continued support and the greater Tucson community. You rock!
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Feb. 4, 2016, 11:39 a.m.
Tucson’s Death Café February edition was super sweet! We had the magic number of 17 attendees and many new faces. Among them were two women who traveled from Tempe/Phoenix, a pair of Minnesota snowbirds hoping to start Death Cafe in their hometown, and someone working to bring Death Café to the local deaf community. Subjects that came up for discussion were: “How do we talk about death to our family and friends?” “What is the status of new cultural movements such as home funerals, green burials, and aid-in-dying?” “What is relief grief? Is it a common experience and “okay” to feel relieved – for any reason – such ...
With Isabel Amorous
Feb. 2, 2016, 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. (Mountain Time Zone)
Donations accepted for tea & cookies
Many thanks to Bookman's for their enthusiastic support of fearless & friendly Tucson Death Cafe!
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Jan. 11, 2016, 5:23 p.m.
Tucson's chapter of Death Cafe has launched into 2016 with deep and riveting conversation as always. 17 courageous souls braved the chilly Tucson winter and quickly warmed the room talking about spirituality and death, fear of death, and death with dignity. We're looking forward to an almost-Spring-in-Tucson heartfelt February meeting.
With Isabel Amorous
Jan. 5, 2016, 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. (Mountain Time Zone)
Donations accepted for tea & cookies
Come enjoy tea and cookies and explore these fascinating realms with fellow adventurers in the Tucson community.
Thank you to Bookman's for their continued support of Fearless & Friendly Tucson ...
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy Whitehead
Aug. 26, 2015, 4.30 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. (PST)
accept donations for the space
This August gathering is set AFTER the weekend of Stephen Jenkinson events supported by All Souls Procession weekend (MMOS0, so any folks who attend plus anyone else who comes may ...
Death Cafe write up: Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on May 15, 2015, 4:28 p.m.
We gathered for the winter Tucson death cafe on Thursday afternoon, Feb 26, at the Benedictine Monastery on Country Club Rd. http://www.tucsonmonastery.com
It's spacious community space generously accommodated the 36 or so participants. Death cafe facilitators, Kristine and Cindy, also generously welcomed everyone with a large array of snacks, featuring a lot of chocolate. Good stuff for talking about death! After the munching started, we gathered in a circle to review ground rules and make brief introductions, during which anyone with a particular interest for discussion had the opportunity to put it out there to the group. Then we disbanded, to gather and talk ...
With Cindy Whitehead
May 24, 2015, 4.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. (mountain)
Accept donations for the space
This is our spring quarter death cafe, to be held outside and enjoy the 'cool weather' while it lasts. We'll meet outside by the labyrinth. Please bring your folding ...
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy Whitehead
Feb. 26, 2015, 4.30 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. (Moutain)
Donations accepted go to Monastery for space
The Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe is always a lively time to have conversations you might not have the chance to enter elsewhere: open and non-judgmental explorations around death and ...
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Nov. 12, 2014, 4.30 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. (Mountain)
no cost
Our fearless & friendly Death Cafe will be held at Funeraria del Angel, in an historic purpose built downtown funeral home. If you are interested in a tour of the facility ...
With Kristine Bentz
Dec. 4, 2012, 4.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. (CET)
Free
The Friendly and Fearless Tucson Death Cafe invites you to our first meeting on Tuesday, December 4th, from 4:00-5:30PM. Join us for conversation, tea and noshables in the ...
Death Cafe: Tucson's Friendly & Fearless Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on July 15, 2014, 7:17 p.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Sept. 2, 2014, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (Pacific)
Please order something at Moe's or make a 'tip' as a thank you for the space, if you don't wish to order anything.
We'll be glad to see folks after a much needed summer hiatus!
Death Cafe write up: May Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on July 15, 2014, 7:07 p.m.
MAY
Tucson Death Cafe met the evening of May 6. The crowd was a bit lighter than in months past. It's getting hot here and the time when winter residents are leaving and things are slowing down. Moe's was still plenty full, though, and its openness to the outdoors is a nice feature for circulation, both for people and fresh air. Tonight, as we began going around the room making introductions someone asked who, rather than what, brought us here. This could be taken literally or figuratively. Many folks chose to respond, and the question and the process fostered introspection, remembrance, and gratitude. Some observed there ...
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
May 6, 2014, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
See above
The outdoor patios are calling! We'll likely enjoy a nice warm May evening outside and Tammi will get some interesting Iced Teas going for us. Since she opens her ...
Death Cafe write up: March Forth Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on April 22, 2014, 6:31 p.m.
Tuesday night, March 4th, we 'marched forth' and marked the 548th Death Cafe in the world and 18th for Tucson.
Participation continues to grow at the new midtown location at Big Moe's coffee shop. 34 people attended. Frequent participants, Susan and Steven, were guest facilitators. Kristine and Cindy got the night off, sort of, and had the opportunity to relax into discussion. After reminding everyone that any kind of participation is optional, folks had the opportunity to introduce themselves before breaking into small groups. Susan and Steven had both recently experienced the deaths of pets and had prepared some questions around death of animal companions, if that ...
Death Cafe write up: Special Edition! Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on April 22, 2014, 6:19 p.m.
March 9th Special Edition:
Sunday afternoon, March 9th, Tucson featured a special edition Death Cafe at Marana Mortuary. People gathered in the mortuary meeting space for discussion. About 16 folks were in attendance. People enjoyed refreshments and easy open talk across the spacious room. Some things that were shared were anecdotes about burial experiences, differences among various religions and cultures, and needs that are served through funerals and other kinds of events that acknowledge death.
April Fools Edition:
Tucson Death Cafe met for the19th time the evening of April 1st. No fooling! The crowd showing up at Moe's continues to grow and it seems of note that ...
Death Cafe: Special Edition! Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Feb. 28, 2014, 5:09 p.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White with Larry VanHorn
March 9, 2014, 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. (MST)
Donations accepted for offsetting cost of drinks and snacks.
There will be no speaker or information giving content - just a chance to experience the setting and enjoy conversation with old friends or new, eat something good and have an ...
Death Cafe write up: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Feb. 13, 2014, 2:27 p.m.
Tucson meeting #16 happened Feb 4th at Big Moe's Coffee Emporium, in the Metal Arts Village. The turn out was enough to pleasantly crowd the coffee shop on a chilly evening in the desert, opened exclusively in the evening for Death Cafe by owner/host Tammi. As a special treat Tammi featured "Death by Chocolate" hot cocoa - your choice of white, mild or dark chocolate no less!!
Also lending a bit more excitement, an independent, documentary film crew from LA was here to film us (willing participants only). Facilitators Kristine and Cindy began with brief introductions, and reviewed the suggestion for tonight. Participants had been invited to ...
With Guest Facilitators: Dr. Steven Rayle and Susan Fehlow
March 4, 2014, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
Donation suggested to cover funding the space, if you do not wish to order beverages or food.
Cindy and Kristine are excited to be participants this time around and welcome folks in the future who would like to co-facilitate! Please remember Big Moe's opens just for ...
Death Cafe: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Jan. 15, 2014, 12:17 p.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Feb. 4, 2014, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
Please order drinks/eats or make a donation for the space.
We are thrilled to be in a new location at Big Moe's Coffee and Tea Shop in the Metal Arts Village. Many thanks to the Big Moe's crew!
Death Cafe write up: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Jan. 15, 2014, 11:59 a.m.
A whole new place! A great big circle of interested, friendly and fearless folks!
Tucson Death Cafe started the new year with a new location and lots of new participants. More than twice as many people showed up than anticipated via RSVPs. Including facilitators Kristine and Cindy we made 27 participants (8 of whom were men!), which was a cozy crowd at Big Moe's, formerly the Coffee Loft, located in the Metal Arts Village. The new owner is opening the mid-town shop in the evening just for us and it offers privacy and nice outdoor spaces for spreading out when it is warm. We are grateful to ...
Death Cafe write up: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Dec. 13, 2013, 9:26 p.m.
Tucson Death Cafe celebrated the completion of its 1st year on December 3rd at Monterey Court Café and Galleries. Congratulations to our fearless leaders, Kristine and Cindy, and all the participants that have contributed to the cafe. It was a chilly night (for we desert dwellers) and we started with a circle drawn close around the outdoor fireplace. There were 15 of us including 4 men, yes! Some familiar faces and some new.
After introductions we split into self-selected smaller groups to consider how we would complete the sentence "Before I die I want to …." There was cake and other sweet treats, plus hot coffee and tea to ...
Death Cafe: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Dec. 1, 2013, 12:48 p.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Jan. 7, 2014, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
Donations accepted for evening use of the Coffee Loft.
We are excited to be in our new location come January 2014 at the Coffee Loft in the Metal Arts Village! Join us for relaxed conversation about death and dying ...
Death Cafe: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Dec. 1, 2013, 11:52 a.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Dec. 3, 2013, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
Free - we encourage folks to at least order drinks/refreshments at the Cafe.
This is our FIRST BIRTHDAY! Come and celebrate with us by the fireplace on the south courtyard at Monterey Court. We'll raise our glasses to living well and keeping ...
Death Cafe write up: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Nov. 18, 2013, 11:25 p.m. 1 comment
Tucson Death Cafe #13 was held Nov 5th at Monterey Court Café and Galleries. This evening a participant and local Elder Circles leader Del Jones told us about an upcoming PBS documentary (the Huffington Post calls a "must see") and a free public discussion forum, all in support of "the conversation" about communicating end-of-life wishes. Then she led some discussion. She addressed the larger group (16 people) first and then we split into smaller groups for discussion outside or inside. Del posed questions for us to consider, like: What do you want at the end of your life? Have you spoken about it to relevant loved ones, friends ...
Death Cafe: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Oct. 9, 2013, 5:07 p.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Nov. 5, 2013, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
Donations accepted for community room fee
We are curious souls who believe participating in the greater death and dying conversation makes us make the most of our finite lives.
In November, join us for special guest ...
Death Cafe write up: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Oct. 9, 2013, 4:56 p.m.
As the weather begins to cool in the desert, we gather for the TDC in relief that fall is here!
In September, 19 folks gathered outside for dinner, drinks and conversations about the 'shadow sides' of caregiving for a dying person, if they chose to take Kristine up on this as 'anchor topic'. Others discussed local cremation costs and final wishes, as they came hoping to do. People used the words helpful, open, ease-full, thought provoking, real and enlightening to describe the experience. Some folks were frustrated by the noise level of the live music outside, so in October we tried meeting in an indoor space at Monterey ...
Death Cafe: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Sept. 27, 2013, 10:38 a.m.
With Kristine Bentz
Oct. 1, 2013, 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (MST)
Free - donations accepted for the community room.
This time we will try meeting in the community room at Monterey Court - let's see what the adventure holds!
Press: Arizona Daily Star, April 7, 2013: Tea, Cake and dying go together at 'Death Cafe'
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Aug. 20, 2013, 3:21 p.m.
Big thanks goes to the author and all attendees who participated in making this article a reality.
Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, AZ: http://azstarnet.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/tea-cake-and-dying-go-together-at-death-cafe/article_1cca2609-943d-58c1-a3be-2cb4debbd65a.html
Death Cafe write up: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Aug. 20, 2013, 3:13 p.m. 1 comment
JUNE
New place! New time! We outgrew our meeting room in Bookmans Used Book’s community space. We chose Monterey Court Café and Galleries as a new location. At our June gathering 23 people attended, including me and Cindy as co-facilitators. We kept the conversation the most open we had in any Café format, due partly to not knowing how things would go in the new setting and partly to being ready for a rest after two meetings in May!
We had nearly an hour of small group conversations at tables, with some people enjoying dinner and others, just drinks. Once people finished eating, the majority of the ...
Death Cafe: Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Aug. 20, 2013, 3:04 p.m.
With Kristine Bentz & Cindy White
Sept. 3, 2013, 7.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. (MST)
Please come with compassion. No need for $ though.
We open the space to people with the courage and awareness to have respectful and sincere conversations. We see each event as an adventure, holding the guidelines as the pillars ...