Death Cafe write-ups
Louisville's 1st Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Justin Magnuson on Feb. 20, 2014, 8:17 p.m.
Louisville's first Death Cafe went off without a hitch! It was a small, invitation only, group, but the conversation moved easily over a myriad of topics in the 90 minute session.
Although much of the discussion revolved around the perception that the medical field has played a large role in our cultural disconnect from death there was still several personal themes and stories that emerged. I had some trepidation about moderating potential conflict or establishing boundaries, but overall the time passed very quickly and everyone in attendance participated.
When it was time to close several people stayed and talked, closing ideas and offering topics for "next time ...
At our last Death Cafe we had a participant who shared his Near Death Experiences, someone shared the experience of accompanying their parent through the process of dying and the postive feelings they both recieved from it, we discussed cremation vs alkaline hydrolysis, green cemetaries, having a "Death" file for family and friends to access after you die, etc.
We enjoyed tea and cookies while we visited and welcome anyone who would like to join us.
Death Cafe Ukiah Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Ukiah on Feb. 17, 2014, 10:38 p.m.
We had a wonderful group in February with heartfelt discussions. Our next Cafe is March 1, 2914, same place, 2-4PM. New faces are always welcome.
Death Cafe, Brisbane, Queensland Write up
Posted by Beth OBrien on Feb. 16, 2014, 8:39 p.m.
Discussion as usual was lively and interesting. We had a discussion about whether there were any movies on the afterlife, and how people rely on information from TV and film. Talk then moved to the topic of dying at home, and how most people don't know about the local palliative care teams, and rely heavily on hospital admissions instead. We discussed the process of when a person dies, and how they are cared for before taken into the care of a funeral home. On a digital note we noted the interesting webpage e-closure that offers a service to turn off all of your digital life when you ...
Death Cafe Blue Mountains Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Castlemaine on Feb. 16, 2014, 5:08 a.m. 2 comments
This latest Death Cafe was co-hosted by myself (Hayley West) and Kerrie Noonan.
I opened procedings talking about my arts practise and research topic as a Masters candidate - 'The Vestigial: remnants of the dead and demands on the living'. My interest area being what to do with objects and memories left behind when loved ones die. I read a passage from 'Objects of the Dead' by Brisbane writer Margaret Gibson, a fabulous book.
With a few artists present it made for interesting creative talk around arts practises and death related inquiries.
We were also introduced to the 'Shroud Momento' project by Helen Dunne who came up from Sydney ...
Lincolns Death Cafe held on Feb. 6 was a great success! We had 19 people and everyones responses on the survey were positive. They are asking for more, wanting friends and family to attend. The Loveknot Coffee Shoppe was a great venue, big thanks to Roxanne. Thanks to all who helped and participated. Watch FaceBook for further Death Cafes!
Death Cafe in Charlotte, NC Write up
Posted by Gaye Dimmick on Feb. 14, 2014, 12:13 p.m.
Because of snow. Next one Feb 25.
Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe Write up
Posted by tucsondeathcafe on Feb. 13, 2014, 2:27 p.m.
Tucson meeting #16 happened Feb 4th at Big Moe's Coffee Emporium, in the Metal Arts Village. The turn out was enough to pleasantly crowd the coffee shop on a chilly evening in the desert, opened exclusively in the evening for Death Cafe by owner/host Tammi. As a special treat Tammi featured "Death by Chocolate" hot cocoa - your choice of white, mild or dark chocolate no less!!
Also lending a bit more excitement, an independent, documentary film crew from LA was here to film us (willing participants only). Facilitators Kristine and Cindy began with brief introductions, and reviewed the suggestion for tonight. Participants had been invited to ...
Death Cafe in Fairfield, Iowa Write up
Posted by Thresholdingjennifer on Feb. 12, 2014, 7:41 p.m.
This Death Cafe is now full. We will keep you posted on future Death Cafes in Fairfield in the coming months. Please go to www.thresholdingcare.com for updates for these events in this area!
Albuquerque Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Gail Rubin, CT on Feb. 11, 2014, 5:40 p.m.
On Saturday, February 2, 18 people came to share their thoughts on mortality to get the most out of this [finite] lifetime at the latest Albuquerque Death Cafe. The eight men and ten women all had their individual reasons for attending the free event at Sheila’s Sweets, and the conversation was fascinating, as always.
Lola the plastic skeleton presided at the head of the table, wearing a cowboy outfit. Remember, “whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.” Death is a lot like that.
The conversation started with the topic of New Mexico’s new status as a state that allows physician aid-in-dying, joining Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana. Talk ...
It has been said that a helpful approach to any issues we encounter is to ‘begin with the end in mind’ (Covey’s Highly Effective Habits)
The evening of January 28th saw the first Death Cafe Hitchin. It was a great success with people coming from across the region. They had travelled from as far away as Norwich & Brixton! And a big thank you to them all. For it is people & the relationships we create that ensures the intimacy & sharing that occurs in this unique forum.
Death Cafe Danville Write up
Posted by Jennifer A. on Feb. 9, 2014, 6:50 p.m.
The first Death Cafe Danville met for two hours for lively and sometimes laughter-filled conversations about death-related topics. Eleven of the expected 14 people participated and one individual came to the venue for something unrelated and asked to join the group, for a total of 12 attendees.
Some of the topics were: the importance of voicing what you want done with your corpse, the afterlife, Victorian mourning traditions, society's attitudes about death, death in other cultures (ex. Tibetan sky burials), and how death impacts daily life.
The majority of participants made sure to let me know that they'd like to attend future Death Cafes. Words/phrases ...
Northern Alberta Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Northern Alberta Death Cafe on Feb. 8, 2014, 9:13 p.m.
and the night was cold but warm inside. There were new attendees and some of us old ones..... The conversations were both diverse and interesting. One attendee shared her plans on a new direction in her life as she gets close to retirement and does not want to spend too many more winters in the north of Alberta. Her plans are to do her utmost best to enjoy her finite life doing what she wants to and seeing the world on her terms. Another shared her journey with her diagnosis of terminal cancer and how she too has chosen how to be in control of her last days ...
Wow. First meeting went really well. 36 attendees, came from our Unity community, Meetup, waccobb.net and Facebook. I'm so touched by the willingness of these generous and articulate souls to show up, in heavy rain, and spend the afternoon together, talking and listening. A real heart opener. Felt like living fully; an antithesis to death. Good feedback about being encouraged to change seats and provide questions as prompts if needed.
Thank you to all who showed up. We are all so different on the outside and all so the same at our cores.
The first Death Cafe organized in Poland took place in a pleasant Warsaw café called (in a free translation) “Price of Inconsistency”. Eleven persons, man and women attended the event. The discussion went for two hours and floated around the themes of what gives us strength while facing death of our close ones, can we prepare for death – our own and that of the others, how is death seen in other cultures and traditions and last but not least, is the feeling of guilt inscribed in the experience of those who stay alive, when their family or friends died. Towards the end of the meeting, participants expressed the ...