Death Cafe write-ups
Saturday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on May 16, 2026, 7:10 p.m.
Today was our first Death Cafe on the westside of Portland at the Friendly House. The turnout was excellent with two large tables facilitated by Rosalie and Scott. My table was vibrant and engaged. One guest had recently lost her husband of 43 years. She was experiencing profound grief and loneliness. She had a small family and friends group leaving her with limited support. The group rallied around her, which gave us the opportunity to talk about grief and loss. We discussed many avenues of support and the importance of accepting help. We discussed terminal care and end-of-life care options. There was a long discussion of the importance ...
This was our first Death Café event and we have been so pleased with the positive feedback we’ve received.
13 people came along and left saying they felt more connected and that they’d really appreciated the opportunity to talk about death and dying when so many people around them in their lives weren’t able to have those conversations with them.
So what did we talk about? So much – and the following gives you a flavour:
- How difficult it was to talk about planning for your own death with your children when they thought you were being morbid
- Whether you should really ‘sort out all your ...
Herne Hill Death Cafe Write up
Posted by annkenrick on May 14, 2026, 12:08 p.m.
Death Café – Carnegie Library
5th May 2026
Report
Five people attended this DC facilitated by 2 people. Themes that emerged from the discussion included:
· Moments of remembering people who have died – the Uncle who always made the gravy
· Questioning oneself about whether one did enough to help someone before they died
· Harsh combination of grief for parent who has died and anticipatory grief for other parent living with dementia
· But also triggered attendee to make big decision to move out of London to the sea and live her best life
· Importance of funerals in helping us come to terms with those who had died
· Importance of legacy ...
West Norwood Death Cafe Write up
Posted by annkenrick on May 14, 2026, 12:07 p.m.
Death Café – West Norwood
6th May 2026
Report
Around 15 people attended this DC facilitated by 3 people. Themes that emerged from the discussion included:
· The importance of place - somewhere to go and remember the person who's died. It might be a in cemetery or it can be where ashes were scattered.
· Seeing death as a continuation, not an end, following a faith tradition. There is grief but a sense of happiness knowing the person is somewhere else.
· Death anxiety as a child - needing to come to terms with mortality as a fact of life. Described fear as ‘the severest form of loneliness’. But at the ...
Well, we had a room that accommodated ten and we had seven people attend - so it was pretty good considering the fact that again it's a beach location.
Cordial, engaging conversations with cake, coffee and tea made the two hours pass oh so quickly.
We're looking forward to our May Second Saturday and Fourth Tuesday Death Cafes at Chapin Memorial Library.
Register for these FREE events at the Library's Website: https://calendar.chapinlibrary.org/
Albany Virtual Death Cafe PST Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on April 28, 2026, 11:42 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim opened the April Death Cafe with 12 of us participating from UK, USA and Canada. Topic included feelings related to Death, feelings of peace and satisfaction when in service, when interacting and connected. Questions about accessing help, asking for help, and Near Death Experience. Speaking and listening was most of our time. And a fair amount of time being silently present.
Virtual Death Cafe South Africa Write up
Posted by Marie-Louise on April 24, 2026, 10:50 a.m.
End-of-life doulas Lisa Ludwig-Mackenzie & Marie-Louise Steyn co-hosted this gathering at 7:30 p.m., SAST, on April 23rd. There were 16 of us, including 2 guests from the US. The duration of our Café was 90 minutes.
After brief introductions and sharing what brought each of us to DC, we split into two breakout rooms for more intimate discussions. Our conversations travelled far and wide, from the personal realities of loss and the role of a doula to complex discussions on VSED, MAiD, and the Kubler-Ross stages of grief. We touched upon the essential nature of end-of-life planning, the reality of navigating transitions alone, the intentionality ...
Iowa Death Cafe Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on April 22, 2026, 9:20 a.m.
The conversation was very rich, discussing what death acceptance looks like. We also pondered the meaning of this life and where death fits in. We covered religion vs. spirituality and that death does not cancel out life.
Kirby Muxloe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Catrina Young on April 21, 2026, 10:49 a.m.
Another successful meeting at which we welcomed some regular and some new visitors. Conversation ranged from different types of grief, practical steps to take to alleviate the burden of one's death for others to what rituals we'd want at our own funerals.
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on April 12, 2026, 10:06 p.m.
Joan and Scott had a busy cafe with two active tables at the Friends Meeting House. Everyone enjoyed cake and tea before selling in. Scott's table discussed issues of dealing with acute grief. There was a great deal of very personal self-disclosure. We discussed accessing groups in Portland and the processing of grief in a group setting. We also reviewed individual therapy and psychoactive medication. Members had considerable personal experiences to share. There was discussion of the loss of a child, other types of loss, and loss of a pet. We reviewed the loss of companionship. There was interest in end-of-life care. We discussed funerals, disposal of ...
Death Cafe - Bozeman MT Write up
Posted by RogerBarnes on April 12, 2026, 4:08 p.m.
With the youngest in their mid 20s and the oldest in their early 80s, this was a great group of 18 people with very nice energy.
The seven participants at yesterday's Myrtle Beach Death Cafe at Chapin Memorial Library enjoyed a convivial early afternoon conversation covering a wide range of topics.
Attendance was off a bit from our typical 10-12 participants; a beautiful day at the beach is a significant distraction. So, too, are the hundreds of activities in this popular beach destination of ours.
Those who've attended previous Myrtle Beach Death Cafes at Chapin Memorial Library know we try to follow the founder's suggested guidance of having "cake and tea/coffee" be an integral aspect (to encourage amiable conversations).
Yesterday's "conversation nibbles", instead, was a platter of snack pastries ...
Albany Virtual Death Cafe PST Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on March 23, 2026, 10:11 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim opened this Death Cafe. 13 participants from USA and Canada. Discussion included life after life, "near death experiences," presence of spirits and angels, grief, comfort with our mortality. Speaking and listening was most of our time. And a fair amount of time silently present. Wrap up included a song titled "What the world needs now is love sweet love" feeling gratitude, and appreciation for our time together. We will meet again 4th Sunday in April. Check for Virtual Death Cafe Albany on https://www.eventbrite.com/
Belper Death Cafe Write up
Posted by kate.stoddart20@gmail.com on March 20, 2026, 6:41 a.m.
Seven people attended the cafe in our great community space, from an initial list of 12 on the booking. We had explanations from almost all the no shows, who will book on one of the others this year.
There were fresh flowers on all the tables, which welcomed people into the room. We all sat around one table.
Everyone contributed and stayed the full two hours, despite one person saying they woudl 'just listen' and the other that they would not stay for the duration.
One person was deep in grief, but wanted to be there, and spoke eloquently and movingly.
Some else quoted a beautiful extract from ...
Virtual Death Cafe Albany, CA USA Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on March 3, 2026, 3:05 p.m.