Belper Death Cafe feedback
A write up of Belper Death Cafe
By katedamiral
Twelve people attended this cafe and we managed to have a good conversation as one group even wearing masks.
Themes explored included: the urge to tidy up your life before you die, reluctance to face the inevitability of death - and how to recognise when you are ready, the role of professionals both before and after a death and the important role they should play in supporting loved ones who want to be involved, different cultural attitudes towards grieving and the value of a good cry.
People also shared a range of recommended reads including:
- the novel All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West
- The Wild Edge of Sorrow - Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
- With the End of Mind - How to Live and Die Well by Kathryn Mannix
- Somewhere Towards the End - a memoir by Diana Athill
- Let's Talk about Death and Dying, an Age UK booklet
as well as the film Departures and the Sesame Street episode featuring Big Bird learning about Mr Hooper's death.
Participants found the session refreshing, humane, life-affirming, thought-provoking, illuminating, supportive, informative, inclusive, inspiring, friendly, positive, enlightening, encouraging, forgiving, positive, comforting, moving, interesting, mind-expanding, encouraging, calm and safe.