Death Cafe write-ups
Albany Virtual Death Cafe PST Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on April 28, 2026, 11:42 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim opened the April Death Cafe with 12 of us participating from UK, USA and Canada. Topic included feelings related to Death, feelings of peace and satisfaction when in service, when interacting and connected. Questions about accessing help, asking for help, and Near Death Experience. Speaking and listening was most of our time. And a fair amount of time being silently present.
Virtual Death Cafe South Africa Write up
Posted by Marie-Louise on April 24, 2026, 10:50 a.m.
End-of-life doulas Lisa Ludwig-Mackenzie & Marie-Louise Steyn co-hosted this gathering at 7:30 p.m., SAST, on April 23rd. There were 16 of us, including 2 guests from the US. The duration of our Café was 90 minutes.
After brief introductions and sharing what brought each of us to DC, we split into two breakout rooms for more intimate discussions. Our conversations travelled far and wide, from the personal realities of loss and the role of a doula to complex discussions on VSED, MAiD, and the Kubler-Ross stages of grief. We touched upon the essential nature of end-of-life planning, the reality of navigating transitions alone, the intentionality ...
Iowa Death Cafe Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on April 22, 2026, 9:20 a.m.
The conversation was very rich, discussing what death acceptance looks like. We also pondered the meaning of this life and where death fits in. We covered religion vs. spirituality and that death does not cancel out life.
Kirby Muxloe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Catrina Young on April 21, 2026, 10:49 a.m.
Another successful meeting at which we welcomed some regular and some new visitors. Conversation ranged from different types of grief, practical steps to take to alleviate the burden of one's death for others to what rituals we'd want at our own funerals.
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on April 12, 2026, 10:06 p.m.
Joan and Scott had a busy cafe with two active tables at the Friends Meeting House. Everyone enjoyed cake and tea before selling in. Scott's table discussed issues of dealing with acute grief. There was a great deal of very personal self-disclosure. We discussed accessing groups in Portland and the processing of grief in a group setting. We also reviewed individual therapy and psychoactive medication. Members had considerable personal experiences to share. There was discussion of the loss of a child, other types of loss, and loss of a pet. We reviewed the loss of companionship. There was interest in end-of-life care. We discussed funerals, disposal of ...
Death Cafe - Bozeman MT Write up
Posted by RogerBarnes on April 12, 2026, 4:08 p.m.
With the youngest in their mid 20s and the oldest in their early 80s, this was a great group of 18 people with very nice energy.
The seven participants at yesterday's Myrtle Beach Death Cafe at Chapin Memorial Library enjoyed a convivial early afternoon conversation covering a wide range of topics.
Attendance was off a bit from our typical 10-12 participants; a beautiful day at the beach is a significant distraction. So, too, are the hundreds of activities in this popular beach destination of ours.
Those who've attended previous Myrtle Beach Death Cafes at Chapin Memorial Library know we try to follow the founder's suggested guidance of having "cake and tea/coffee" be an integral aspect (to encourage amiable conversations).
Yesterday's "conversation nibbles", instead, was a platter of snack pastries ...
Albany Virtual Death Cafe PST Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on March 23, 2026, 10:11 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim opened this Death Cafe. 13 participants from USA and Canada. Discussion included life after life, "near death experiences," presence of spirits and angels, grief, comfort with our mortality. Speaking and listening was most of our time. And a fair amount of time silently present. Wrap up included a song titled "What the world needs now is love sweet love" feeling gratitude, and appreciation for our time together. We will meet again 4th Sunday in April. Check for Virtual Death Cafe Albany on https://www.eventbrite.com/
Belper Death Cafe Write up
Posted by kate.stoddart20@gmail.com on March 20, 2026, 6:41 a.m.
Seven people attended the cafe in our great community space, from an initial list of 12 on the booking. We had explanations from almost all the no shows, who will book on one of the others this year.
There were fresh flowers on all the tables, which welcomed people into the room. We all sat around one table.
Everyone contributed and stayed the full two hours, despite one person saying they woudl 'just listen' and the other that they would not stay for the duration.
One person was deep in grief, but wanted to be there, and spoke eloquently and movingly.
Some else quoted a beautiful extract from ...
Virtual Death Cafe Albany, CA USA Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on March 3, 2026, 3:05 p.m.
11 Women and men gathered on zoom. From West, South, South East, North East, Midwest, UK and Canada . We begin saying where we live, experiences with Death Cafe, as well as what brings us to Death Cafe. All are invited to describe what they had on their minds/hearts today. We are free to remain quiet or take space to speak from our hearts. We spoke of what to say to loved ones of person who has died, various experieces of accompanying those who are dying thru volunteerism and with family and friends. We listened respectfully, leaving room for silence and reflections.
Ashen Moon Greeley Death Cafe CO Write up
Posted by Rowan Hawkins on March 1, 2026, 11:05 a.m.
While attendance was small again, the conversation was lively! Today, we discussed how to live when you're handling death at the same time. A new parent having to travel to spend time with a dying family member. The idea was that death is rushed and feels urgent, but life is the exact opposite and is slow and leisurely. Every second counts when you're living and it should be explored fully and let the clock of death tick on as it can't be controlled on its own.
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - March 2026 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on Feb. 23, 2026, 3:17 p.m.
References for Central Houston's March 2026 Death Cafe
We had 16 people join this month's discussion; below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue.
If there is something missing from my list you'd like to add and easily share with the group, just leave a public comment in the box at the bottom of this page.
Local groups & resources
- Bo's Place
- Death Collaborative
https://deathcollaborative.org/
- Empty Bowls Houston
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/take-action/specialgroups/empty-bowls-houston/
- Urban Harvest
Books
- The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One through the ...
Six of the registered persons sat around the table to talk about death, life, and other related subjects.
Their sincere, engaging energy created a memorable Death Cafe that went over the two hour mark.
Great cake, coffee, interesting people with compassionate thoughts ... that's why there've been over 22,000 Death Cafes around the world.
Death Cafes at Chapin Memorial Library are regularly slated monthly events on the:
SECOND SATURDAY and FOURTH TUESDAY.
Registrations are a must due to space and cake ordering. ;-)
You can register for the remaining February Death Cafe and the March Death Cafes, here: https://calendar.chapinlibrary.org/
ESP Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Candy Penfold on Feb. 17, 2026, 9:37 a.m.
I was blown away with the openness, the bravery and vulnerability of my peers (because of course, the nurse hat came off as I stepped into that space and I was just one of them). We laughed and cried and ate and drank tea and coffee (I splashed out and got them some costa sachets, and dried mango for those who didn't want cake) and gave them fidget toys and tissues so put their nerves somewhere. It was beautiful. What a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon! I hope they loved it as much as me, even if I did make them cry.
Death Cafe Acomb (York, UK) Write up
Posted by lewis.lansford on Feb. 16, 2026, 5:26 a.m.
We had five guests and two faciltators. We devoted much of the discussion to the practicalities of what happens when someone dies. Do you have to call a funeral home? What are the options for getting a body from home to the crematorium? What does a natural burial entail? What are the alternatives to a traditional church funeral? We all agreed in the end that if people talked more about these matters, they wouldn't seem so mysterious and they would become easier to navigate. Big gratitude for everyone who showed up and joined the conversation!