Death Cafe write-ups
hello everyone,
we have had two gatherings in indian river co., fl this month. our monday evening on dec 9th brought a new mix of people and we again navigated unchartered territory. we explored sudden death vs. expected eath,. the effects of possible and actual death as it pertained to our ww2 veterans. as we all know, these events are not for bereavment, however, we are finding it challenging to separate the two. we again discussed near death experience.
on monday, dec 16th at our group in vero, another diverse gathering occured. a mix of men and women with an open forum. we touched on communication from deceased ...
Albuquerque Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Gail Rubin, CT on Dec. 16, 2013, 3:45 p.m.
At yesterday’s Albuquerque Death Cafe, held at Sheila’s Sweets, seven people joined host Gail Rubin for a wide-ranging conversation. Mascot Lola (pictured), presided at the end of the table.
Topics discussed included this past week’s courtroom consideration of New Mexico’s laws regarding physician aid-in-dying. The judge in the case heard arguments whether it will hold doctors liable under the state’s current rules on physician-assisted suicide. Is providing medication to a patient with a terminal illness relieving suffering or helping someone commit suicide?
As with all discussion of Death Cafe topics, it’s up to the individual to decide.
We talked about green burial ...
19 people showed up for our event on a very frigid Vermont evening. There were a remarkable range of opinions and interests raised that included: death with dignity; incorporating children into the dying and death ritual process: suicide; the isolation of grieving; preparing for death and rituals for dying; what comes next/life beyond death.
It seems as if the simple fact of permission to have this conversation in the company of others (many of whom were strangers when we met) was affirming and seemed like just the beginning or introduction of something that might deepen and grow.
Death Cafe Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia - Mainline Cafe Write up
Posted by Rachel Zeldin on Dec. 16, 2013, 9:39 a.m.
December 11, 2013
On a cold Winter night, 12 people entered the gates of the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, followed the snow covered path toward the Bringhurst Funeral Home, and gathered in the atrium.
As with most gatherings at the funeral home, the topic at hand was death; however, this was not your normal death conversation. There was calm in the air, and there were no tears, eulogies, or final goodbyes. Instead, there was coffee, tea, cookies, and lively conversation, including laughter. This was the first Main Line Death Café, hosted by Rachel Zeldin of Funerals360 and Simcha Raphael of the DA’AT Institute as part of the ...
The 4th PDX Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Kate Brassington on Dec. 15, 2013, 9:09 a.m. 2 comments
PDX Death Cafe
December 5th, 2013
at the Peace House
Context: This event was held on a Thursday evening on one of the coldest days of the year. Our first location in a residential setting, we were hosted by The 18th Ave Peace House in Portland. This was our first "walk in" event that did not require prior registration. This was also our first event that featured music (live bluegrass, with songs selected for their relevance to the topic of death), though this feature was not announced beforehand. The large house was warm and thoroughly decorated for the holidays, and was divided into 10 different tables or sitting ...
Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe Write up
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 Ithaca Write up
Posted by Angela Lucia Mennitto on Dec. 12, 2013, 10:15 a.m.
Thank you to everyone who attended the first Ithaca Death Café and shared so openly and honestly with such heart and humor. The event was a great hit, with many folks interested in continuing the conversations they started that evening.
We were full before we even advertised, so we expanded to accommodate more folks and then broke into three groups to allow more intimate sharing. A special thanks to Tricia Conroy and Michele Hochstetter who helped facilitate.
At the end of the evening, we asked everyone for three words to best describe this Death Café. The responses included:
- Delightful, fun, informative
- Supportive, engaging, open
- Comfortable, open curiosity, acceptance ...
Singing to the dying, near death, loss of a beloved animal, loss of a close relative, death of someone you don't like, sensing the dead and hospice care are a few of the topics we touched upon at the first meeting of the Whitefish Death Cafe. It went Beyond anything I expected in the quality and openness of both the conversation and attendees. My little family just experienced a death days ago and yet I left the room feeling invigorated, hopeful, looking forward to the next meeting. The facilitator Nancy was superb. I highly recommend this group.
We had 11 people plus Margaret and I, which we felt was a huge success seeing as we had had some negative reactions with some of our posters being removed from village noticeboards.
The conversation followed many paths with contributions from such interesting people; a soul midwife, a psychotherapist, a retired diplomat, a Buddhist, and many others, Some wanted to debate their ideas, others just to listen. It was deeply humbling that people felt safe enough to share such intimate fears. We had lovely feedback and the general opinion was that we must do it again!
Asheville ushered in Death Cafe with great compassion...All sixty souls came and respectfully deepened with a sonic soundscape and reflective introduction. Dobra Tea House a magical watering hole for Asheville's wonderful eclectic mix from chaplains, Grief counselors, and even a baby.
Witnessing were the walls alive in the conversation creating a limiinal theatre of sorts a true sense of communitas. Jan we begin again !!!!
SW London Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Suzanne Michal on Dec. 6, 2013, 4:19 a.m.
Despite the fact that only about half the people I was expecting came, it was an almighty powerful evening.
Listening to a woman share her story of her mother's passing in March moved me to tears and inspired so much hope in healing relationships, even difficult ones before someone goes for good.
Yet again, the same effect happened which is a classic for a Death Cafe: people's masks and pretence fall aside and a genuine human being starts to shine.
To our surprise in the middle of it, 2 ladies appeared. They were Norwegian and came to London only for the day to meet Jon who ...
On Monday November 18th 2013 Death Cafe of Ocala had our first meeting. Thirteen of us got together at Horse and Hounds restaurant to enjoy their wonderful desserts with coffee, tea, or another drink. And to share our reason for coming to this meeting.
We met from 7:00pm to 8:30pm and were just barely able to finish our introduction round. Everyone was eager to share their personal stories and the questions they had. So many different aspects of death and dying were briefly mentioned. That I think at the next meeting we need to see which topics we want to discuss more in depth and prioritize ...
Death Cafe Brisbane #2 Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Brisbane on Dec. 3, 2013, 4:47 p.m. 2 comments
Three groups of four and five gathered to talk at our second Death Cafe Brisbane held recently.
So many different topics! Some were healing, some filled with information sharing, some just general conversation, but to walk away having had open conversation around death was most enlightening.
Death Cafe Brisbane held our second evening of chatting, the organising team having modified a few things from their first experience, but in general it was similar - well prepared food, music, conversation and beautiful chocolate cake in the shape of a coffin.
This time, rather than a hearse, an exhibition of beautifully captured photos from various graves featured around the walls.
To ...
Ann Arbor Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Merilynne Rush on Dec. 2, 2013, 12:06 p.m.
At our most recent death cafe we had 17 people plus one couple who did not come expecting to find us. The woman pulled up a chair, sat down and joined right in the conversation. However, the man said he was not interested but stodd by her side. He ended up staying and talking the most.
Death conversation happens, whether you think so or not!
Have you seen the recent Showtime series Time of Death? I've heard its really good. You can watch the first episode for free.
Hot topics at the November 16 Ann Arbor Death Cafe:
What do you do with your stuff when you ...
Death Cafe at Cafe Rouge in Hampstead, London Write up
Posted by Josefine Speyer on Dec. 2, 2013, 12:17 a.m. 2 comments
Following a very positive article about the October Death Cafe at Cafe Rouge in London’s Time Out magazine, this November Death Cafe was soon fully booked. I even considered holding a second Death Café that month to accommodate everybody! Fortunately I didn’t, as instead of the 40 plus people expected, only 19 people attended. It was a bit disappointing as I had turned so many people away, thinking we were overbooked. Nevertheless, we had a very good and positive evening. It was moving, inspiring, heart warming. There was a wonderful open sharing from people, gathering around three tables. Thank you to Sharon Young and Philomena Corrigan ...