Death Cafe write-ups
Death Cafe Halifax Online AST Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Halifax Nova Scotia on March 22, 2023, 9:03 a.m.
The group that gathered online, including “regulars” and some first-timers, had a range of interests including logistics associated with natural burial, one’s agency as it relates to end-of-life decision making, the balance of medicine and a person’s wishes, “being” there for others, and communicating with someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer who has chosen no surgery or radiation
· Numerous people shared experiences related to talking with people who had been diagnosed with cancer – not everyone around the person may agree with their treatment choices (or non-treatment choices). Common views revolved around respecting and trusting their wishes, walking the walk with them, and being present for them ...
Death Cafe North Canterbury NZ Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on March 12, 2023, 6:15 p.m.
We had our very first Death Cafe in North Canterbury recently, in Kaiapoi. Despite torrential rain, cold and the fact I dropped the pear cake...it was great!
We had two attendees and two facilitators, talked non stop about our beliefs, our experiences and societal perspectives.
Onwards and upwards, Rangiora next time,
Stay well and keep talking n hugging, Liz :)
Virtual Death Cafe PST Albany, CA USA Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on Feb. 27, 2023, 4:35 p.m.
The Virtual Death Cafe's doors opened at 3:50PM for Cohosts Genevieve and Jim to welcome friends and new friends. 11 Men and women arrived from Eastern Canada, NE, SE, Midwest and West US. The participants shared and listened open heartedly and leaving room for silence. We participants raised our thoughts and feelings about how we want to leave our existence, what to leave and where to place our bodies, our ashes, our composted selves. Living fully now and loving now too. Aging. I look forward to our next Virtual Cafe we host on the 4th Sunday in March.
Death Cafe- Easton Write up
Posted by janmcginleydoula73 on Feb. 26, 2023, 7:58 a.m. 1 comment
Our first get together was held last week and it exceeded all expectations. We limited the group to 10 so we could have a conversation as opposed to a "meeting:". The conversation turned to caregiving of our parents, Death with Dignity legislation, signs from loved ones who have passed etc. There are already more than 15 people expressing interest in the next session so we may have to do two sessions to accommodate . It seems that people ARE ready to talk about death- finally!
Dunstable Death Cafe Write up
Posted by DunstableLibrary on Feb. 24, 2023, 4:31 a.m.
Had a wonderful session, 2 people attended and we were 4 in total. The discussions touched on "recovering from" grief and societal norms of grieving for a short amount of time, then resuming life as before. We talked about loneliness after a bereavement, and the lack of openness to talk about grief which can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, even within a family, and how it can either bring members of a family closer together or further apart. All in all a wonderful, insightful session.
February Online Death Cafe Iowa CST Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Feb. 22, 2023, 2:40 p.m.
February Death Café Iowa was held on Tuesday February 21st where Buffy Peters, facilitator, had four individuals join her for conversation surrounding death and dying. We had such great conversation this month and we are so thankful for every individual who joins us! Here is a little bit of what this group chatted about.
The first topic of interest was the topic of burial vs. cremation as forms of final disposition. Conversation about “not wanting to take up real estate” in terms of a burial but respecting others’ choices to decide what is best for them. Rituals, such as a burial, and how those impact communities and ...
Online PST Death Cafe Write up
Posted by jschm117@aol.com on Feb. 16, 2023, 4:45 p.m.
We had 15 people join us. We had some serious talks, but we also had some fun. Thanks to all the wonderful folks that showed up and participated. Stay tuned for our next Death Cafe
Tri Cities Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Shanel Marie on Feb. 13, 2023, 4:40 p.m.
Our first event for this death cafe group was a huge success! We had 7 participants, and messages from 3 others that they will be joining us next time! This was huge for our little town, and I'm hopeful that we will continue to grow! We shared our stories, were vulnerable with each other, laughed a whole lot, and had wonderful conversation about grief and American culture as it pertains to death and grief!
Death Cafe Spokane Write up
Posted by LauraKortus on Feb. 12, 2023, 7:52 p.m.
We held our second Death Cafe at the first Presbyterian church, in downtown Spokane. 11 participants were in attendance, 3 of those were facilitators. We had bakery goods from a local bakery and we served coffee, tea, and water to participants.
This was a very successful DC! We had great feedback from participants, including one suggestion that the group be smaller. Another piece of feedback stated that this particular participant wished they had "less conversation " directed their way. What I took from that was less sympathetic comments after the story was shared. I thought this was very helpful feedback and I will add precise direction next time, at ...
Our most recent Brisbane Death Cafe at Kangaroo Point attracted a radio interview on the 4BC Weekends segment.
Listen here:
https://www.4bc.com.au/podcast/why-is-death-so-hard-death-cafe-brisbane-coordinator-suzanne-beveridge/
Death Cafe Capitol Hill Write up
Posted by Laura Lyster-Mensh - HCC on Feb. 9, 2023, 7:14 p.m.
At our first Death Cafe of 2023 we met in the chapel at the center of the historic Congressional Cemetery. So appropriate a setting for considering mortality.
We started with a grounding exercise of stomping our feet on the marble floor to send vibrations to the over 60,000 former DC residents surrounding us.
The conversation flowed through themes of control, death cleaning, losses of grandparents, and children's understanding of death.
We will meet every other month this year with a rotating panel of facilitators from the community.
Nantwich Death Cafe Write up
Posted by FrancesUnderhill on Feb. 7, 2023, 1:17 p.m. 1 comment
Nantwich's first Death Cafe at the Bookshop Cafe had 9 attendees (including 2 facilitators).
It was full of laughter, tears and personal stories. Everyone shared their experiences of death and dying. We shared our fears, wishes and preferences for death. Everyone had an equal chance to speak and life's great mysteries were pondered.
We even talked about inspirational writers of illness and death such as Kathryn Mannix, Atul Gawande and Michael Rosen.
We are now planning another Death Cafe for the Autumn 2023.
Virtual Death Cafe PST Albany, CA USA Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on Feb. 2, 2023, 12:48 p.m.
Genevieve Harvey and Jim Kirkpatrick enjoing our Hosting of Death Cafe. The 10 of us created this experience of a safe open space for sharing ideas, questions, and feelings. Topics included end of life, after life, living with our dying. Participants from Canada and around the US. Feelings of awe, joy and respect.
A few of us regularly attend this Cafe and some joined for the first time. Look forward to seeing all. Find us listed here on Death Cafe.com and Follow to the Eventbrite Link to register.
We are very grateful for the support from Death Cafe please follow this link and join us supporting them ...
Tucson Online MST Friendly & Fearless Death Cafe Write up
Posted by TucsonFFDeathCafe on Jan. 26, 2023, 1:31 p.m.
We had a sweet beginning to 2023! This year’s mascot is a sunny yellow rabbit we’ve named Peace.
We talked about our beloved animal companions, how they bring us comfort and solace, and fill our lives with joy, laughter and daily wonder. We zoomed out for a moment to a big picture of how wonderful it would be if structures were in place to care for everyone, ourselves, all the furry, feathered, and other beings that enrich our lives so much. What a relief it would be to subtract the common struggles of how to care for ourselves and our animal companions in times of change ...
Death Cafe in Putney VT Write up
Posted by Denise Glover on Jan. 24, 2023, 1:32 p.m.
Thirty one people attended our Death Cafe in Putney. We started with an opening circle, then split into several groups. We ended with a closing circle.