Death Cafe write-ups
Swanage Death Cafe Write up
Posted by peterneall on July 26, 2025, 3:17 a.m.
Seven of us met on a beautiful Summer afternoon in Central Swanage. WE had one newcomer and all others had come to this Death Cafe at least once before.
Introductions revealed a treasure trove of experience and wisdom about life, death and all between.
The conversation explored pilgrimage, chronic conditions, diet for curing connditions and the importance of friendship.
I left referhed and intrigued felling I'd spent a valuable couple of hours.
WE will met again in the autumn - watch this space!
10 Death Cafe participants braved a late afternoon thunderstorm to the sanctuary of this mid-week Death Cafe at Chapin Memorial Library in downtown Myrtle Beach.
Though most of the people at today's Death Cafe were total strangers when they entered the room and took seats around the table. But within minutes of starting, you'd never know they were.
Each quickly warmed quickly to the idea that this was a safe place to ask their questions and to listen intently to the conversations that followed.
Of course, there was cake, tea, coffee and some cookies. The joy of sharing food certainly led to a place in which ...
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - July 2025 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on July 20, 2025, 11:25 p.m.
Central Houston's July 2025 Death Cafe
We had ~25 people attend this month's moving and meaningful discussion. Thanks to all who came out on a Saturday morning and shared the space.
Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local groups
- Blazing Star Sanctuary (Katy, Texas Green Burial)
https://naturesburial.org/
Books
- Civilized to Death: What Was Lost on the Way to Modernity by Christopher Ryan
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28596619-civilized-to-death?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=1ayCz2OD54&rank=1
- The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61214136-the-collected-regrets-of-clover
- The Day I Die: The Untold ...
As one participant perfectly framed our purpose: "It (death) happens, so why not talk about it?"
Our conversation centered on the universal fear of death; the loss of control, anxiety of the unknown, and the fear of the dying process itself. We acknowledged the deep desire to not be isolated in our final moments and to spare our families from fear and stress. Amidst these concerns, a participant shared the beautiful idea of appreciating that their molecules will one day rejoin the universe, and perhaps one day bump into their grandparent's molecules, turning a fear of ending into a hope for reconnection.
We left with some powerful ...
Thanks to all the people who joined us at the Brewery over the past three weeks.
Each session was wonderfully different from the last - a few people came to all three and some only found out in time to join us for the last session.
Each week, the conversations gave rise to stories and experience, fears and hopes around the topic of death - and not surprisingly, life, too! The Brewery cafe staff were unfailingly cheerful and hospitable.
We hope to run another series of 3 later in the summer / early Autumn. Please contact us if you would prefer a different day or venue - we are not wedded to ...
Enhusiastic, concerned and interesting conversation filled the allocated time slot for this month's Myrtle Beach Death Cafe at Chapin Memorial Library.
Thank you everyone, the staff at Chapin Memorial Library and the 10 area residents who attended and made this gathering so meaningful.
Thank you, Jennifer, for the beautifully, terrific cake and thank you, Death Cafe participants for your stories and openness which turned our group of strangers into kindred spirits.
Our next Death Cafe will be Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Library. Space is limited; so registration is imperative.
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on July 13, 2025, 10:25 p.m.
We had a wide-ranging cafe today. We discussed personal experiences with individuals who were dying. Fear was discussed several times from various perspectives. The dying process was of interest as was what we expect after death. Frustrations were expressed with uncommunicative relatives, health care providers, and unhelpful friends. We discussed end of life preparation and care. POLST, wills, and advanced directives were of interest to the group. We also discussed psychedelics as an end of life adjunct. The group was very engaged.
It was a small and intimate gathering, with one person attending her first Death Cafe. We discussed recent losses, and how loved ones can really organize to be part of the death, which is meaninful for all. And how Zoom helps for those far away. We also discussed the aging process, our own mortality and shared our bucket lists.
13 people. Candle in the middle not something I will do again. Much interest in holding more Death cafes in Teignmouth.
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - June 2025 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on June 24, 2025, 5:04 p.m. 1 comment
Central Houston's June 2025 Death Cafe
We had ~20 people attend this month's discussion. It was wonderful to share space and energy with a group so diverse in background and experiences.
Something I'm bringing away is simply this: The best death is a good life.
Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local groups:
- Insight Meditation Houston
https://insighthouston.org/
- Huntsville Forensic "Body farm"
https://ifrti.org/STAFS/
https://ifrti.org/STAFS/donations.html
- Texas Death With Dignity
https://texasdeathwithdignity.org/
- Houston Zen Center: Preparing for Your Own Death class:
https://houstonzen.org/classes/preparing-for-your-own-death-1
- Bo's Place
https://www ...
We had an enthusiastic gathering of eight in all for this Death Cafe on a quite busy Saturday in Myrtle Beach.
There were so many different perspectives, ideas, experiences that were shared so easily.
Though the Death Cafe participants, for the most part, arrived as strangers, they departed as collaborators in end-of-life idea sharers.
We enjoyed the terrific place at the Library to gather to talk, share cake and coffee and make new acquaintances.
Death Cafe North Canterbury NZ Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on June 16, 2025, 3:07 a.m.
This was a small and special Death Café with 6 of us, three men and all “returnees”.
Again we seemed to get deep very quickly, talking about ‘the system’ again – who and what is out in the community and society, the hospital and the health system which works well, and what doesn’t work. We again reflected on our own resilience, how grief seems to penetrate through our skin leaving us exposed and vulnerable. And we looked at our systems within - how prepared are we with sharing passwords, names / address and key family information with those who might need it when we die.
Death Café dates for 2025 ...
Death Cafe Acomb Write up
Posted by lewis.lansford on June 10, 2025, 3:10 a.m.
Nine of us gathered and had a long-form, wide-ranging conversation about death – our experience with it or lack thereof, our grief over it, our expectation of our own deaths and those we love, our preparations or lack thereof. It's so gratifiying to meet people IRL and for everyone to share openly and honestly, to listen attentively. I'm full of gratitude and eagerly anticipate the next one.
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on June 9, 2025, 9:42 a.m.
I enjoyed a robust conversation. Generally, it was a quiet and soft-spoken group. No one had been to a Death Cafe before. Several people had left conservative religious traditions and were navigating a spiritual life that filled their current needs. A few people had recent losses and others had no personal experience with death. We had long discussions on the dying process and what came after death. Fear was a common theme. People asked for insights on how to connect with family. There was some loneliness. We had long conversations on preparing for death. Some attendees wanted to connect with others, others wanted to be more comfortable with ...
Death Cafe - Kirby Muxloe Write up
Posted by Catrina Young on June 8, 2025, 7:16 a.m.
Absolutely thrilled that Kirby Muxloe’s first Death Cafe was well attended; there were approximately ten of us of various ages and genders. Everyone contributed to discussions which ranged from whether it was important to have a funeral to whether we’d like to record a farewell to be played after we die. Several people shared the importance they felt for holding conversations with loved ones about their funeral wishes or leaving written instructions. Judging by their comments it’s fair to say others enjoyed it too with several committing to attending future cafes.
The next Death Cafe will be held at The Royal Oak, Kirby Muxloe 24th ...