A wide-ranging conversation
A write up of Capitol Hill Death Cafe
We met in the cemetery chapel again this month, with a circle of about 20 people including both regular and first time participants. Our facilitator, Valoria Walker, convened the gathering with an invitation to fully feel our emotions as they came up. Topics evolved, including: the need to do better supporting families facing a death, fresh grief re-surfacing after a long time, new technologies for caring for bodies after death, differing cultural views of death, the role of rituals, finding respect across different spiritual and atheist belief systems, and signs we see from those beyond the grave. Our host, Congressional Cemetery, provided sweet treats and beverages, and tissues for tears. Val’s grounding exercise as we closed the evening brought us all back into our bodies and breathing, and gratitude for the space and the courageous conversation.