D'Eynsford Death Cafe, Camberwell
A write up of D'Eynsford Death Cafe, Camberwell
By katedamiral
Seven people came along to D'Eynsford TMO's first death cafe on 13 March in the estate's community room. We all knew each other and everyone fed back that they found it a comfortable experience.
We explored: attending and planning funerals, organ donation, and the experience of talking to people who've recently been bereaved and how important that is, even if it's difficult to know what to say and do.
There were several different cultural and faith perspectives that the group found interesting to share - including insights from the Caribbean community, the Crimea and Ireland.
Only one person felt their feelings about death had been changed by the session: 'Reminded me that death can be positive'.
Someone else who in their work helps people prepare for funerals fed back that they still found it a bit unusual listening to others talk about death at the cafe.
The cafe was described as: enjoyable, interesting, open, friendly, caring, calm, useful, helpful, encouraging, diverse, supportive and a chance to share, learn and ask.
The group is keen to hold another cafe soon, with one person interested in discussing next time the legacy and meaning of life as part of celebrating death.