Death Cafe write-ups
Death Cafe in South Lake Tahoe, California Write up
Posted by Paula Schneider on May 18, 2014, 6:09 p.m.
Our event drew 10 interested participants who expressed their gratitude for being able to discuss so many interesting end of life topics. Some commented they thought it would be depressing but instead it was uplifting!
Death Cafe Orlando Write up
Posted by Sarah Elizabeth Walter on May 18, 2014, 7:23 a.m.
Orlando Florida’s first Death Cafe was held on Saturday May 17th. On a rare, beautiful spring-like day when temperatures are usually soaring, eleven people sought each other out to explore various thoughts surrounding their own mortality and discuss that aeons old Lurker, Death. For some Death was a familiar notion, and were well acquainted with it. They shared their stories, their wisdom, their insights. For others, Death was a stranger, a more abstract idea, and around this they expressed their expectations and their fears. Conversation was lively, punctuated by bursts of laughter and quieter chuckles of mirth - as well as, small silences and pauses for reflection. Topics ...
Each person attending a Death Cafe brings both questions and wisdom from a unique and valuable perspective. This means that each Death Cafe has an energy and personality all its own!
It continues to amaze us both (Asha & Tracy) how many topics can surface in such a short space of time – we are seriously considering lengthening the time of our Cafés to a full two hours.
Some of the comments expressed in our two circles of attendees in summing up:
- o Some discussion about organ donation;
- o Recognizing & identifying various life events as “losses;”
- o Discussion ensued about loss of siblings;
- o How to construct and distribute ...
Death Cafe Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia Write up
Posted by Rachel Zeldin on May 12, 2014, 9:42 p.m.
On Monday April 28, 2014 the group known as "Life Explorers" reconvened at Le Pain Quoditien for the monthly Death Cafe Philadelphia, a venue to reflect and share one's thoughts on life and death aka "The 'D' Word".
Organized and hosted once again by Rachel Zeldin, founder of Funerals360 ...
The April Lawrence Death Cafe was held at the Merc on Iowa in their classroom. We had a good attendance of about 15 men and women discussing different topics concerning death. Since the start of the Lawrence Death Cafe many of the same people return to each of our montly meetings. The conversations are fascinating, educational and even humorous at times. We currently have 15 people signed up for our May, Cafe and there is still room for a few more. I'll post the anouncement today. Love to have you!
Death Cafe at TANEXPO Write up
Posted by Elisabetta Lucchi on May 11, 2014, 11:09 a.m.
It was the first time outside the city for Death Café Verona on the occasion of Tanexpo (International Exhibition of Funeral and Cemetery Art), a three day event which took place in Bologna, Italy from the 21st to the 23rd of March. And it was the first time a Death Café has been held at an Italian exhibition centre.
This Death Café was aimed at people working in the funeral parlour and cemetery sectors as the exhibition was not open to the general public. There were two meetings, the first on the 22nd March and the second on the 23rd.
There were 4 participants ...
Invito a partecipare al Death Cafe, conversazione aperta sulla morte e sul morire Write up
Posted by Elisabetta Lucchi on May 11, 2014, 11:05 a.m.
We held the tenth Death Café here in Verona at Elisabetta’s house. There were 6 participants and the evening was characterized by a lively atmosphere with the discussion covering many varied subjects.
It’s difficult for all of us to speak about death, we find it hard to accept. Even in the case of a serious, potentially terminal illness, it is difficult for the sick person to talk to their family as they cannot accept the possibility that a loved one might die. This silence also surrounds bereavement. We cannot find the words to show how we feel close to a bereaved person who in turn seems ...
Denver Death Cafe April Write up
Posted by Anita Larson on May 9, 2014, 6:08 p.m.
Denver Death Café Summary April 27, 2014
Many thanks to Michael Long with Fairmount Mortuary & Cemetery for hosting the April Denver Death Cafe and providing refreshments. The deliciously large chocolate chip cookie was from Eileen’s Colossal Cookies and there wasn’t a single crumb left! Updates and announcements are posted regularly on our Facebook page so like us at www.facebook.com/denverdeathcafe
WHAT’S NEW?
Colorado Public Radio contacted me regarding their Colorado Matters program and the series on Peaceful Endings. This was a new experience for me and naturally, I thought of a million things I should have said after I left their studio. Here ...
PDX Death Cafe at the Q Center Write up
Posted by Holly Pruett on May 8, 2014, 11:51 p.m.
Report from PDX Death Café 6:
Half Day event with art and storytelling
At The Q-Center, May 4, 2014
The 6th PDX Death Café took place on Sunday May 4th from 1:30 to 5:30 at the Q Center. This was part of a half-day event which included a gallery of “death ephemera” and a storytelling hour, followed by the Death Café.
Who Came:
As this chart illustrates, there was a more even age distribution than at some other Death Café events.
About 80 folks attended overall. 50 participants filled out an evaluation following the Death Café; out of those, 29 were first timers. 10 ...
Death Cafe Madison Write up
Posted by Willy Street: Madison Death Cafe on May 7, 2014, 2:21 p.m.
Please send suggestions from your own experiece when starting a death cafe. Any tips?
Summary: Death Café 92119 – San Marcos
April 26, 2014
Death Café 92119- San Marcos, was fully attended on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. until about 1:15 p.m. The group attending filled the “house.”
Lively discussion ensued with rarely a quiet interlude. Two people expressed interest in facilitating a Death Café in their area.
Comments expressed:
o Gratitude to have a safe environment to bring up topics related to death and dying and not be “shut down.”
o Discussion ensued about family member who chose to die in a relative’s home.
o Discussion about how to handle one’s own death.
o ...
Death Cafe Northumberland Write up
Posted by Northumberland on May 2, 2014, 11:47 a.m.
We had a great showing for our 2nd Death Cafe in Brighton, Northumberland County, Ontario Canada. We had 25 participants who shared lively converstions about how they were prepared for their end of life, new choices for disposition to consider and how important it was to have others to share their beliefs, concerns and knowledge with. A resounding success and many wanted more opportunities for these discussions.
Flagstaff April Death Cafe Write up
Posted by aleia@furthershore.org on April 29, 2014, 6:32 p.m.
This Death Cafe had 20 participants, 7 men and 13 women, spanning the ages of 30 to 85. Reasons for coming included: curious, excited, interested to hear what others say, community, freedom to talk and listen to topics I don't have permission for in the work place. GF Cinnamon Coffee Cake was a big hit. Some comments:
"Coming to the Death Cafe has strengthened me. I feel happier now about livng than I ever have."
"Every person speaking gives me a gift to reflect on."
"Subjectivity Rules!"
"I feel like I'm at a LOVE Cafe! Thank you"
Death Cafe in Flagstaff, Arizona Write up
Posted by aleia@furthershore.org on April 29, 2014, 4:30 p.m.
28 people attended from ages 29 to 83. A spirited discussion, round table style, took place by 3 small groups. . . threads of conversation included reflection on many aspects of death (of others and selves). Fabulous cake in the middle and a request for more Death Cafes in Flagstaff to conclude. Evaluations indicated words like: safe, peaceful, exciting, amazing, heartfelt, supportive, eye-opening and joyful.
This was our third Montpelier Death Cafe.
We had a wonderful turnout with some of the people who have been at our earlier events as well as some new faces. We are settling into a monthly schedule and have begun to rotate facilitation.
As things evolve, the conversation seems to deepen with each succesive group.
You can find a wonderful post on FB (see address below) called "Planting Seeds". And indeed that seems to be what is happening. The world seems ready and fertile to nourish these beginnings as we stimulate the discussion here and interest spreads.
You can now find us on
Twitter @MPV DeathCafe
FB https ...