Death Cafe write-ups
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on Jan. 13, 2015, 2:33 a.m.
This dark and windy winter night we discussed among many topics the recent depate prompted by the former editor of BMJ Richard Smith:
What is the perfect death?So death from cancer is the best.You can say goodbye, reflect on your life, leave last messages, perhaps visit special places for a last time, listen to favourite pieces of music, read loved poems, and prepare, according to your beliefs, to meet your maker or enjoy eternal oblivion. We didn't all agree with this view mind you.
Seaside Death Cafe Write up
Posted by carolineboaz on Jan. 12, 2015, 2:04 p.m.
This was the first time that I hosted a Death Cafe' and it was successful beyond my dreams. We had 23 attendees and a resounding "Let's have this every month!" The Seaside Center for Spiritual Living was an excellent venue and is open to being the host site going forward. We are planning the next Cafe' for March so watch for for that posting. Thank you to everyone that came and shared from their hearts. Thank you Seaside for providing a lovely place to meet.
Death Cafe Winchester, VA Write up
Posted by Mary Jane Lee on Jan. 12, 2015, 1:49 p.m.
On January 4, 2015 seven people met at Steamy's for a very interesting and intimate meeting discussing death, dying, restored memory, and active dreams. There was one new person to the group, a younger woman, who provided a fresh wisdom and insight into perceptions of death and the profound awareness of its presence as part of life.
A real dream of equanimity during a violent death provided a stunning awareness of how our lives provide us opportunity for presence at the time of death.
All participants express value for their time together and appreciation of the venue and one another.
We will continue to meet on the ...
Tuonen Tupa Death Cafe Write up
Posted by kmarttinen on Jan. 10, 2015, 10:16 a.m.
Christmas being close, we enjoyed also glogg and cookies this time. Dec. 13th is St. Lucia's Day and the celebration of light.
We talked about physiological changes in death, hospice care and different approaches to life in eastern and western countries.
Death Cafe in Allegan, MI Write up
Posted by Theresa Lynn on Jan. 6, 2015, 9:41 p.m.
It's absolutely frigid outside, yet 18 people attended this Death Cafe at the cozy and inviting Allegan Country Inn. Words participants used to describe tonight's event are insightful, thought-provoking, comfortable, fun, informative, accepting, enlightening and touching. The cheesecake with raspberry sauce and whipped cream was fabulous. A rewarding night for all.
The sixth and final Death Café Indy of 2014 was held downtown at the Athenaeum and once again, it was validating to see the level of interest locally in this endeavor. Approximately 25 attendees gathered for two hours to discuss wide-ranging aspects of current death practices in America, while enjoying coffee, tea, brownies and cake. There were quite a few first timers at our December Death Café, so word continues to spread! We also have recent attendees who plan to start Death Cafes in Bloomington, Indiana and Muncie, Indiana.
Despite the various backgrounds and motivations for attending, the conversation is always effortless; it seems many of us have ...
Montpelier Death Cafe Write up
Posted by MontpelierDeathCafe on Jan. 6, 2015, 12:37 p.m.
This month we celebrated the one year anniversary of our death cafe!
It was nice that some people from last time came back again, plus some new people.
We looked at talking in small groups and I had prepared some discussion questions to choose from, but the preference was to talk in a large group (there were about ten of us) and this was relaxed and open. There was feeling of relief that death was not a taboo here, and people shared openly their sometimes distressing reasons for attending.
I hope to see some of you again at the next Alexandra Park Death Cafe.
18th Death Cafe Hampstead, London, UK Write up
Posted by Josefine Speyer on Dec. 26, 2014, 5:15 p.m.
18th Death Café Hampstead write up,1 December. 2014
by Josefine Speyer
This write up needs some bits adding to complete it. There was no time for this before the Christmas holidays. Josefine
38 booked to attend
32 attended: 3 men and 29 women
(including 6 female facilitators)
Average age:
Average age for Men: 70
Average age for Women: 57
19 feedback forms returned: 16 Women, 3 Men
Average age: 62
Overall, how would you rate this event? 9
(10 = excellent, 1 = poor)
People's experiences of this Death Café:
Really fascinating – and the atmosphere at our table was generous and level. I specially felt our openness ...
16th Death Cafe Hampstead, London, UK Write up
Posted by Josefine Speyer on Dec. 26, 2014, 5 p.m.
This really was our 17th Death Cafe Hampstead (and not the 16th)!
The stats for this write up are not complete. To be added later. Sorry, the time flew by since holding the Death Café, taken up with other things. Josefine
23 booked to attend this Death Café.
18 attended (including 3 facilitators): 3 men, 15 women
Feedback forms returned: 15 Women, 3 Men
Average age : ?
Average age of women: 55
Average age of men: 65
Overall, how would you rate this event?
(10 = excellent, 1 = poor)
This is how people described their experience of this Death Café:
Illuminating of some feelings I have about my own age ...
The gathering was held on the Winter Solstice, Sunday afternoon, Dec 21, 2014. Participants were asked to describe the most enjoyable aspect of the Cafe they responded:
"the openness" "hearing others' thoughts and comments which help me see things differently and listening to everyone, I love the descriptor 'intimate'";"the exchange of ideas and theories"; "sharing - everyone seemed comfortable in participating";"the casual atmosphere";"the sense of community we have with one another";"the sharing of stories";and "the open forum with whole group participation."
A warm and caring sense of community was remarked upon by several people and one person who was attending for the first time ...
Providence Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Cassandra Tribe on Dec. 18, 2014, 9:15 p.m.
Please, a moment of silence out of respect and appreciation for the service the German Chocolate Cake performed at the Providence Death Cafe tonight. It is the only one of us who did not survive. A magical 13 (sorry Jack, you would be fourteen but I can only count those with three or less legs; and for the little one still cuddled in the womb – not yet) gathered and explored the world of Advanced Care Directives, why and how to spell out what you want (DNR or full code) is important to get into the system now, the reality of conversations about wishes in relationships, and how we ...
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on Dec. 17, 2014, 4:01 p.m.
Last Highcliffe Death Café was held today for 2014, which also saw the start of our café this summer, now with an evening café too.
Today we talked about learning how to grieve, how we would find it the possible best way to deal with a most difficult situation. Most of us have not had an opportunity to grieve how we have hoped for. It took some of us several years after the death of a loved one to actually realise grieving was necessary. We were told not to cry, not to be angry, not to give a loved one a certain burial, which we have hoped for ...
Invito a partecipare al Death Cafe, conversazione aperta sulla morte e sul morire Write up
Posted by Elisabetta Lucchi on Dec. 16, 2014, 6:15 a.m.
The fifteenth Death Café’ Verona was held in Parma on the 30th October this year on the occasion of the eighth edition of the event entitled “Il rumore del lutto” (“The sound of bereavement”). The aim of this event is to provide space for reflections on life and death.
I would like to thank Maria Angela Gelati for offering us the opportunity to take part, Camilla Sarzi for the photos and ON/OFF who made us welcome in their splendid area.
In answers to the question “Which three words come to mind when you hear the word death?” included: rest (and rest in peace is the phrase ...
Death Cafe Winchester, VA Write up
Posted by Mary Jane Lee on Dec. 14, 2014, 1:26 p.m.
The first Death Cafe in Winchester, VA was held December 7, 2014 at Steamy's Cafe. The 17 people who attended created an interesting and dynamic dialogue that included ideas that death is like birth, curiosities of dying and death in other cultures, personal experience in families, and assisted suicide in terminal illness.
The possibilty of life after death, nirvana, and the presence of spirits after a loved one's death were also shared with great enthusiasm and hope.
Everyone present was enthusiastic about the Death Cafe and look forward to the next one on January 4. 2015.