Death Cafe write-ups
Death Cafe Whangarei Write up
Posted by Jo Moselen on Dec. 4, 2024, 2:53 p.m.
We were a small group of three plus the two organisers, this made for a relaxed and intimate conversation which included planning for a funeral, changes to the assisted dying bill, fear around dying, embalming, colonisation and funeral practices. The attendees were all people who had been to Death Cafes before.
The feedback was encouraging - one comment being "it feels so freeing each time to talk about death"
The venue, a room in the local library worked well.
Knaresborough Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Richard Cyster on Dec. 3, 2024, 3:27 a.m.
This is the first Death Cafe I've organoised so I was a little nervous. However, I needn't have worried. Seven people turned up, including two who'd seen it advertised on the Death Cafe website. We had a wide-ranging conversation over tea/coffee (and cake!) which encompassed a range of subjects including visits to Dignitas, funerals, cremation or burial and the possibility of donating your body to medical science. We will meet again at the end of January 2025.
Our October Death Café saw us exploring the notion of consciousness and life after death. What is consciousness? What happens to us when we go? One attendee responded, “The ego becomes cosmically expanded”. What does that mean for us?
And what of human-caused suffering, such as that experienced because of war? How do we reconcile where we live in a safe and civil society with the suffering of others, for example, oppressed peoples? Why does God allow this? But is it God, or ‘life’ which is challenging us? How do we reconcile science and spirituality when trying to understand death and dying and the suffering of others?
As ...
Our final Death Café for the year was one of celebration and reflection and like all those which had taken place each month, was filled with a mixture of laughter, curiosity and deep and meaningful conversation.
Each month the Death Café brought people together from diverse backgrounds with just as diverse life experiences, and each month we explored our thoughts and feelings and shared stories about our relationship with our mortality in a warm, open and respectful space.
How do we get to the place of being able to accept our mortality? This was a question asked by one of the attendees. And my question in response is ...
Swanage Death Cafe Write up
Posted by peterneall on Nov. 30, 2024, 5:19 a.m.
THe fourth Swanage Death Cafe was as interesting, intriguing and informative as the previous three.
There were nine of us, four who had been at least once before, and five newbies.
The fact that Parliament was voting on an Assisted Dying bill as we spoke gave the event an added poignancy and at the closing check in everyone said 'lets do it again - so we will in the coming year.
Discussion ranged from experiences of close ones dying, managing family deaths, planning for 'a good funeral', psychedelic healing and more.
Completion sheets emphasised feelingg welcome, being heard and experiencing truth.
Andthe home made cake again hit the mark!
Virtual Death Cafe Albany, CA USA PDT Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on Nov. 27, 2024, 8:02 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim have been co hosting since 2022. The November Virtual Death Cafe welcomed 5 women and a man . We live in USA West, South, South East, North East, Midwest and Canada . After introductions, conversations flow including laughter, deep sharing, tears and deep listening. Thoughts, feelings and experiences related to life after life, loving the dying and dead, grief, and our own dying. Book titles shared and an invite to another favorite Death Cafe that meets in December. Genevieve and Jim will welcome all again 22nd of December.
This evening I attended my first Death Cafe gathering. I am so glad I did not come up with an excuse not to attend. It was warm, and welcoming. Interesting shared experiences. The time flew by.
Toni
Thirteen people attended the event in Blarney and it was a very positive experience. The host and facilitators were very encouraged by the turnout and the participation of people and would certainly be interested in hosting another Death Cafe!
How would you rate this event?
Average score 4.8
Excellent- I didn’t know what to expect; but would like a chance to consider the issues more deeply
Surprisingly optimistic and practical
Relaxed, welcoming space for sharing
Would you say that attending this event affected your feelings about death and/or life?
Yes, to be more positive
Not hugely but it will make me think more
Appreciate everyday ...
Peninsula Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Peninsula Death Cafe on Nov. 20, 2024, 3:17 a.m.
I didn't realize until a couple days before that my event was published on deathcafe.com. Since my event wasn't published early on deathcafe.com, very few people were able to see the event. Also, I didn't do much outreach either due to being busy and having a lack of network. Outside of deathcafe.com, I posted an event on Facebook only.
On the day of, I showed up, but no one attended (which I expected). I ended up reading. I took it as a learning experience to double check with the Death Cafe team to see if my event is published. This was a ...
Southwark Death Cafe/CANCELLED Write up
Posted by BlackfriarsSettlement on Nov. 19, 2024, 9:27 a.m.
APOLOGIES.
We have had to cancel this weeks Death Cafe Thursday Nov 21 2024 due to techinal issues. Our space is in process of refurbishmsnent.
See you all next time!
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - November 2024 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on Nov. 13, 2024, 9:27 p.m.
Central Houston's November 2024 Death Cafe
We had ~20 people attend this month's dialogue.
As before, I've compiled some notes. Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local events and groups:
- until November 17th: Theatre adaptation of The Year of Magical Thinking
https://mainstreettheater.com/year-of-magical-thinking/
- The Jung Center https://junghouston.org/
Books
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7815.The_Year_of_Magical_Thinking
- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56769575-stiff?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=y2mq0EL51m&rank=2
- King Arthur and the Holy Grail ...
Las Cruces Death Cafe Write up
Posted by MaryKay Brady on Nov. 8, 2024, 7:33 a.m. 1 comment
It is my pleasure to share with all of you that support Death Cafe, that the 5 recently held in Las Cruces NM averaged 10-17 folks each evening!
Lively discussion with both sadness and laughter as well as a meeting of different cultures-Spanish and Muslim alike.
Branigan Cultural Center provided a safe space as well as appropriate beverages and baked goods.
Thos October only event for the last two years will now morph into once per month beginning in 2025!
Stay tuned for details as they become available and thank you!
Sacred Moments Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Jocelyn Obermeyer on Nov. 4, 2024, 6:38 a.m.
Participants came together on zoom. It was everyone's first encounter with Death Cafe! Folks were curious, practiced active listening, and respectful sharing. The theme that was brought forth was relationships and how they change through dying.
Death Cafe Kaiapoi Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on Oct. 31, 2024, 5:21 p.m.
Today was a small group of 5, plus Anna and I, and I was pleased to see three people who returned for more Death Café! I asked if we could consider this a compliment – and the tongue-in-cheek retort was “well you obviously didn’t answer our questions well enough the first time!”
We explored some different topics today including our fragmented health system, and how (for example) when caring for a loved one, there is a lot of ‘project managing’ – that the role of ‘overseer’ is vital and sometimes, but not always, held by the GP. This segued into grief and how much support is available. It was ...
Virtual Death Cafe Albany, CA USA PDT Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on Oct. 28, 2024, 8:37 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim have been co hosting since 2022. They welcomed 9 women and men for this Virtual Death Cafe. We live in USA West, South, South East, North East, Midwest, Canada and London. After introductions, conversation flow included moments of silence, laughter and several themes. Thoughts, feelings and experiences related to life after life, loving the dying and dead, grief, and our own dying. Book titles shared and an invite to another favorite Death Cafe meets in November. Genevieve and Jim will welcome all again 24th November.