What an evening!
A write up of SW London Death Cafe
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 brought the Death Cafe to the UK and to join us in our evening. They got lost in London but persevered and arrived late. It was quite mind blowing to welcome those 2 pionners who are themselves starting the Death Cafe movement in Norway. One was a bereavement councillor and the other lady an undertaker. They had so much to share about the importance to talk about death and stop treating like a taboo.
The theme of the evening was: could we see death as a gift. Everybody had their own experience and journey but it lead to some profound discussion for sure.
As always I left feeling deeply deeply touched and inspired by the life stories of so many who have suffered because of losing someone and how it affected their life but to see this same person there, shining, and being a beacon of hope is something remarkable to witness.
One participant shares: " It's an experience I think people need, even if they may not realise it.
Having an open forum to talk about death and what it may/may not entail is liberating.
It gives a space to talk about serious experiences in such a matter of fact way that even the teller learns something new about themselves, not just about others".