Death Cafe write-ups
Invito a partecipare al Death Cafe, conversazione aperta sulla morte e sul morire Write up
Posted by Elisabetta Lucchi on Feb. 27, 2015, 2:55 p.m.
The seventeenth Death Cafe, which was held in Verona on the 26th January, was a “mini” event with two participants. In any case, the conversation was, as always, very lively and stimulating!
What comes to mind when we hear the word “death”?
“I think about how I’m here now and afterwards I won’t be here anymore”;
“I question myself about the meaning of life;”
“I realize that I don’t spend enough time on the things that are meaningful for me”;
“the skull and crossbones comes to mind as it’s a symbol of death and danger (and pirates!)”;
“I think about funerals and how people ...
Windy City Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Kathy Miller, LCPC on Feb. 23, 2015, 8:13 a.m.
Two former and one new guests braved the elements to create a cozy and intimate Windy City Death Cafe on Friday, 2/20. Our former guests, a funeral director/officiant and a hospital chaplain, had, fittingly, officiated at a funeral and attended a wake earlier in the day. Topics of conversation included the experience of witnessing death in a professional capacity while managing the attendant emotions, Atul Gawande's book Being Mortal, the medicalization of death (and birth, as discussed by our new guest), home vs hospital deaths, cultural practices around birth and death, and Edna St Vincent Millay's poem Dirge Without Music. A lovely, warm evening ...
Death Cafe Ciudad de México Write up
Posted by Luisa Ruiz on Feb. 22, 2015, 4:51 p.m.
Last Wednesday it was the first Death Cafe in Mexico City. We were 9 in total: 3 men and 6 women. We started it at 7:30 p.m. and finished at 9:30 p.m.
We gathered in one group and talked about how cultures celebrate death, some movies related to the topic. But most of it, personal experiences like diseases, relatives who have died, etc.
I really enjoyed it and I´m looking forward to the next one in March.
Death Cafe Carson City Write up
Posted by Paula Schneider on Feb. 22, 2015, 10:16 a.m.
Eighteen participants gathered together to discuss end-of-life issues. Many questions surfaced about how to get "the conversations" started with reluctant family members, so we began our time together by talking about the importance of everyone creating an advance directive and how to use this as an opportunity to open dialogue with family. Our time together was fruitful and beautiful, as our view of the Sierras was prominent from our courtyard setting.
Tuonen Tupa Death Cafe Write up
Posted by kmarttinen on Feb. 21, 2015, 10:47 a.m.
Every time we meet, the comments are about this being the best meeting ever. Wonder how long this lasts? We discussed in small groups first about what we expected of Death Cafe and what we have gotten from it. Then in general discussion we talked about how serious illness or death in family makes friends disappear, they even change to the other side of the street to avoid meeting... probably because they don't know what to say.
Our Death Cafe has many "regulars" but also new people every time. With this group we decided that we will walk head on towards a person who has had a ...
Providence Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Cassandra Tribe on Feb. 19, 2015, 9:38 p.m.
A cozy gathering this cafe turned out to be, with bitter cold keeping away all but the hardiest of souls. Two newcomers joined us, one in person and one via arrangements from death row. A candle was produced to transform the cake into a birthday celebration, and a gift of almonds was enjoyed by all. Conversations ranged from the measure of heroics – and the impact such acts have on a body that may regret being saved, to the curious distinction of mobility being a deciding factor for many in quality of life. From death row an inmate shared how although they talk about death all the time, there ...
St Germans Death Cafe Write up
Posted by st germans on Feb. 18, 2015, 3:59 p.m.
We met twice at St Germans in January and February 2015, with 14 of us at the first meeting and 13 at the second. Conversations meandered like a Cornish river through what we might be remembered for, what will be forgotton, what happens after we die, funerals, bereavement and how children cope with death. We may meet again, watch this space.....
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on Feb. 18, 2015, 10:44 a.m.
We had another interesting afternoon in Highcliffe Death Cafe with several new members attending. Two members could tell about a near death experience, which were fascinating to listen to. As they both said, this is something you can’t discuss with many fellow humans! Other members do daily meditations of: Dying while Living - Gurumat Sidhant - santmat-thetruth.de.
Another member shared a list she has written on which steps to take before facing death in relation to will writing, arranging of funeral etc. I had a lovely book send to share with members from the publisher of: Brandy Schillace: “Death’s Summer Coat”; what the history of death and ...
19th Death Cafe Hampstead, London, UK Write up
Posted by Josefine Speyer on Feb. 15, 2015, 3 p.m. 2 comments
26 booked to attend (4 arrived without booking)
25 attended: 5 men and 20 women(including 5 female facilitators)
25 feedback forms returned: 20 Women, 5 Men (including 5 female facilitators)
Average age: 54
Average age for Men: 51 (aged 28-83)
Average age for Women: 55 (aged 34 – 78)
Overall, how would you rate this event?(10 = excellent, 1 = poor) 8,7/10
People's experiences of this Death Café:
I had a great experience. We had warm and deep conversations and it just flowed easily. It was exhilarating to talk about death and I felt closer to my group after. I think its important to talk about ...
Death Cafe - Mandurah Write up
Posted by Death Cafe - Fremantle on Feb. 15, 2015, 8:22 a.m.
With Season's Funeral home as the backdrop, I was fortunate to have been asked by them to get this latest Death Cafe up and running. Four months on and the conversation has remained strong and true to our topic.
It has been a great success, right from the start. Each member has brought with them deeply personal experiences with death and dying that they have openly shared with the group. And I thank you for that!
My fond farewell happened at this latest meeting as I passed the torch on to trusted colleague and friend, Joan, who will be taking over the facilitation of this Death Cafe ...
We had a very small and intimate group tonight. We talked quite a bit about what's happening in the Seattle area with home funerals, composting our dead and what kind of business models are in the future for people who want to provide newer, more relevant types of services for bereaved families and friends.
Invito a partecipare al Death Cafe, conversazione aperta sulla morte e sul morire Write up
Posted by Elisabetta Lucchi on Feb. 13, 2015, 9:47 a.m.
The sixteenth Death Café in Verona took place on a cold and rainy winter’s night. There were 8 of us at Elisabetta’s house and, as usual, it was a fruitful evening with shared thoughts, fears and feelings on the themes of death and dying.
The things which came to mind when reflecting on the word “death” were: light (crossing over into a bright light); spirit (nothing is lost, we transform into something else, from a physical body to a spiritual life); infinity (a place without a dimension); transition (passage, reincarnation, we never die, our energy remains); life (it makes me feel weightless, a passage into a ...
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on Feb. 10, 2015, 9:56 a.m.
Highcliffe Death Café had a most interesting evening with several new members. We talked among many issues related to death about suicide - the right to die when you want to, when is life no longer worth living due to illness – so what do you see as “quality of life”? The topics : fear of death, contact to spirits and sensations of knowingthe time when a loved one is dead without you being there , were also touched upon.
I was given a very beautiful book resently by Julie New: “Who are the Flowers in your garden?” A little book helping us to get I touch with our inner feelings by ...
Death Cafe of Columbia County Write up
Posted by Columbia County, NY on Feb. 9, 2015, 6:08 p.m.
The first Death Cafe of Columbia County was a beautiful sharing of experience and perspectives.
Almost immediately it became quite clear that the venue was the perfect match for such a difficult topic of conversation. Those attending the event expressed how comfortable and safe they felt at TSL.
After a review of your comments, and the cooperation of TSL, we have scheduled the second Death Cafe to take place in the cafe space from 10am-12pm, which is PRIOR to the day of scheduled showings. There should be very few 'spectators' and the amount of people 'floating' around the space sholud be at a minimum.
We want to feel ...
Denver Death Cafe January 2015 Write up
Posted by Anita Larson on Feb. 7, 2015, 4:28 p.m.
Denver Death Café Summary
January 18, 2015
Thank you to Porter Place for hosting the January 2015 Denver Death Café and providing refreshments. Anita Larson welcomed Greg Whitehair, Mediator and Medical Ethicist as Co-Facilitator this year.
The conversations started with sharing special memories of the holidays. There was quite a bit of respectful dialogue over the Death with Dignity proposed legislation (which Colorado lawmakers recently vetoed). Statistics were cited on a variety of studies in states where this is legal. “Fewer than half the people that get the prescription actually use it.” This tells me that people want to have some control at the end of their life ...