Death Cafe write-ups
Online Death Cafe Cymru BST Write up
Posted by Sarah Hillcoat on Jan. 17, 2022, 8:07 a.m.
This was our fifth Online Death Café Cymru and, as before, we were pleased to welcome some old and some new faces.
The conversation was wide-ranging this time round. They touched on several topics, with a particular emphasis on the material aspects of end of life and dying. They included: 1) finding the right words to comfort the bereaved; 2) options for what should happen to our bodies when we die; 3) creativity, in particular the role of storytelling in dementia care; 4) photographs as a link between generations; 5) possessions as clutter or treasure, and as a manifestation of our legacies; 6) putting our affairs in order ...
Death Cafe Tunbridge Wells Online GMT Write up
Posted by carmeldunmall on Jan. 10, 2022, 2:27 a.m.
7 of us discussed many aspects of death, dying and bereavement. There was an openess within the group to go where the discussion led.
Online Death Cafe Iowa CST November Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Jan. 5, 2022, 1:05 p.m.
There were four individuals who attended our Death Café in November. The group talked about a variety of topics, the first being do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. Individuals talked about the different types of DNRs in Iowa and the forms to fill out to have your DNR request honored. Iowalegalaid.org was mentioned as a good resource for DNR forms.
One individual mentioned that they had been to a dying expo and shared their experience at that event. Medical assistance in dying in relation to the Iowa legislation was discussed, and it was mentioned that the Hospice association has been lobbying against medically assisted death. Palliative care was ...
We welcomed a few regular attendees and many new arrivals. Zoomed in from around US and UK. Deep listening as we shared our questions, joys, concerns and experiences. An atmosphere of care and respect. We spoke of living more fully as we respond to awareness of our mortality. Some laughter and tears. Prep of Advance Directives, End of life wishes, MAID, grieving, and what do we want to leave. We gather again the 4th Sunday of the month, Jan 23, 2022. Grateful to our Death Cafe Founder. Join with your support. https://www.patreon.com/deathcafe
Online Death Cafe Cymru BST Write up
Posted by Sarah Hillcoat on Dec. 20, 2021, 7:52 a.m.
This was the fourth Online Death Café Cymru. We were pleased to welcome some new participants and to welcome back some familiar ones. The international composition of the group was again enriching, as it has been previously.
The focus this time was mainly on end-of-life experiences, from the perspective of both carers and of the person dying. Their respective needs, wishes and choices at this intimate and precious time were discussed, as was the potentially important role of the death doula or end-of-life companion.
Participants found this session inspirational and commented that they had learned from listening to other people’s stories.
We shall be posting 2022 dates ...
Death Cafe Write up
Posted by mj_dananas on Dec. 11, 2021, 6:48 p.m.
Hi,
This is a virtual Death Cafe hosted via Discord. As your host, I am based in British Columbia, Canada on Pacific Standard Time. This is our first Death Cafe hosted on the BC Support Server. Please click on this invite link to join:
https://discord.gg/VMRK4Qk
Thank you for reading.
Lori Goldwyn and Jim Kirkpatrick hosted this Cafe, welcoming participants from Australia, New Orleans, East Coast and the SF Bay Area. We randomly broke our group into rooms with 8 people. Laughter and tears and satisfaction. A first Death Cafe for a few participants Most found us via our sponsor Jewish Gateways and others word of mouth. Sharing, caring and deep listening, leaving space for silence and for all to speak. We spoke of loving someone who is dying, grieving, end of life planning with a parent, living wakes, planning our own memorial, ethical wakes and ethical wills. Handling the "things" of the deceased loved one. We will ...
Online Death Cafe Cymru BST Write up
Posted by Sarah Hillcoat on Nov. 17, 2021, 9:41 a.m.
This, our third Death Café Cymru, had several overseas contributors for the first time, which was a welcome development. We, the organisers, noted a great diversity in our approaches to death and dying.
Topics raised included: 1. End of life: recognising the signs; supporting the dying; letting go; the role of the professional (e.g. the death doula); and 2. Our own mortality: preparing for, and thoughts about death, spirituality and the afterlife.
Feedback included the following comments: supportive space – refreshing discussion – good to share – listening is good – strangers but feel we know each other – please carry on.
Sarah Hillcoat and Brigid Haines
Online Death Cafe Manila November Meetup Write up
Posted by mamiyocamille on Nov. 13, 2021, 1:26 a.m.
We had a small group today but it proved to be a great session. After our initial introductions and reviewing of death cafe guidelines, the participants talked about why we were there and our relationship with death. We started out by bringing up society's relationship with death and how it's hard to talk about.
We talked about death and what thoughts and emotions come up for us when we hear the word death. We briefly touched upon whether or not we have thoughts on the after life. Some had thoughts that there is not life after death whereas others thought the question of an afterlife wasn ...
Monday night was Louth’s first Death Cafe.
It was nerve wracking waiting to see if anyone would turn up but by kick off time at 7pm, people had arrived - all wondering what they’d come to.
Kate began the session with a brief background to Death Cafe, its origins ten years ago and subsequent spread worldwide.
After that, everyone was invited to introduce themselves and say something about why they had come along.
What followed was interesting and thought provoking. There were different reasons for coming, some wanting to share experience, others simply wanting to find out more about a subject that feels so avoided in our ...
A Death Café was held in the learning commons on the evening on October 25th. 10 students, teachers, and community members gathered to talk about death while drinking tea and eating sweets. This third and final death café of 2021 was notable in that participants came from not only Hirosaki city, but also Aomori city and Kyoto.
The Death Café began with each participant introducing themselves and stating their reasons for attending. The attendants at this Death Café had either attended Death Cafés previously or were death practitioners. As a result, both the reasons for attending and the discussion that arose was focused more on societal ...
Online Death Cafe Iowa CDT October Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Oct. 27, 2021, 2:06 p.m. 1 comment
There were five people present at the Death Café Iowa this month! This month’s conversation centered more around older individuals and ideas of death. When people age they are realizing they are closer to death, one attendee mentioned their 51st high school reunion coming up and how that triggered them to think about growing older and the end of life. Members went on to talk about how important it is to make each day count, and that when saying goodbye to loved ones making sure they know their love for you because that could be your last moment with them.
The topic of death doulas is ...
Online Death Cafe Iowa CDT September Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Oct. 27, 2021, 2:05 p.m.
There were eight individuals in attendance at this month’s Death Café. Many topics were discussed this month but some of the highlights include showing up authentically, road blocks to grief, and interest in death work.
One attendee brought up the book Journey of Souls by Michael Newton, and another attendee talked about their work as a psychopomp.
Members discussed how important it is to show up wherever you are authentically. Without authenticity you cannot make as big of a difference. When you are working with a dying individual authenticity is key. There might be barriers because of differing values and beliefs but that does not mean you ...
I was pleased to have a wonderful man attend this Death Cafe' today. We had a great conversation, and shared many experiences including an appreciation for the Death Cafe' discussion groups. It was good to meet someone who was familiar with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Ram Dass and others who have been influential in the area of the Death and Dying topic. We exchanged information about authors and speakers who present ideas in this area. Even though only one person came to join the conversation, we had an enlightening time and expect to meet again. It is not the quantity of people attending, it is the quality of the ideas ...
Death Cafe Tunbridge Wells Online BST Write up
Posted by carmeldunmall on Oct. 21, 2021, 2:58 p.m.
6 of us attended the meeting last night. It was an open discussion. Talking about attitudes to death and dying and ending on what makes life worthwhile.