Death Cafe write-ups
This is my first Death Cafe. We will be discussing any topic related to death. I'll have some tasty pastries and coffee to share with the group. This is not therapy or a support group.
Death Cafe in Putney VT Write up
Posted by Denise Glover on Jan. 22, 2024, 11:59 a.m.
Fourteen death curious folks joined us for tea, cookies, and chat about all things dying. There was a mix of people, some new to Death Cafe.
We split into two groups after our intial intro circle, and joined back together for the last half hour.
Death Cafe Warkworth Write up
Posted by NZDeathling on Jan. 21, 2024, 9:09 p.m.
Houston Peace with Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Jasmin McGee on Jan. 18, 2024, 8:26 a.m.
My name is Jasmin McGee... my heart is so full, and I am so humbled that my very first Peace with Death Cafe gathering was a success! PJ's Coffee in Spring Branch, TX was amazing and so hospitable. We were all comfortable and had the back corner all to ourselves. We discussed the Community Agreements. We had coffee and King Cake provided by PJ's Coffee. We shared and held space for one another. We had some serious talks and we laughed. Everyone who attended left smiling and grateful - not realizing how much they needed this time and these conversations. Next month's offering is scheduled and ...
Charlton MA Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Kathleen Walker on Jan. 17, 2024, 5:17 p.m. 1 comment
Great meeting with about eight interested people. We talked about death and life and what it all means. We are meeting every month but will skip December.
Another great Death Cafe filled with a variety of conversation. I've titled this post "Where do we go?" because this theme nails the nature of the topics:
- Where do we go in that last ebbing time?
- Where do we go as a generation taking care of older parents- while aging ourselves?
- Where do we go in making living communities that help people have their best last years of this life?
More to come!
Virtual Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Jan. 5, 2024, 5:51 p.m.
We had a vitual Death Café on December 19, 2023 via Zoom. Elliott from Iowa Death Collective facilitated the café with two people attending. In our short discussion, we talked about funerals and deaths occurring during the holidays and how people cope. It was also mentioned that sometimes time doesn’t even help enjoy the holidays. This time included a brief conversation about the need for more events pertaining to certain types of causes of death, because people do find comfort being around others who have had similar significant losses. Discussing disposition of our bodies was briefly mentioned. We finished the café discussing requirements for funeral homes in ...
Facilitated by Bridget Allan of Lotus Reflections (Aust) - Death Doula, Meditation Teacher and Reiki Therapist.
2023 was a new beginning for the Death Cafe in Bendigo, Victoria Australia. Generously supported by our venue provider, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.
Through these gatherings, we've witnessed the courage and generosity of individuals facing their mortality head-on, embracing the uncertainty with grace and resilience. We've explored the complexities of grief, acknowledging that it's not a linear process but a unique journey for each person.
Our discussions have navigated through the intricacies of sensitive topics, from diagnosis of life threatening and terminal illness to the profound impact of ...
City of Roses Death Cafe Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Jan. 1, 2024, 10:34 a.m.
Our last City of Roses Death Cafe of 2023 was attended by 19 people. We enjoyed a lively discussion of how death has touched us--loss of a childhood friend, sudden loss of a loved one who falls and is dead less than a day later, loss of a parent, a sibling, a chlld. One participant described living through the darkest times of the AIDS pandemic, and then living with those memories.
As usual, we talked about how hard it can be to discuss death: one participant invited a friend who responded that they didn't like the sound of "Death Cafe." Another invited a friend who has a ...
Withington Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Davide Erbogasto on Dec. 28, 2023, 4:48 a.m.
The first Death Cafe at Withington Methodist Church was cosy, with tea, coffee and cake. As it was a new event in the area, the numbers were limited, but two people external to the congregation came, as well as two people from the congregation. The conversation flowed for an hour and people found it really beneficial.
Virtual Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Dec. 11, 2023, 2:39 p.m.
We had a virtual Death Café meeting on November 21, 2023 via Zoom. Buffy Peters from Hamilton’s Academy of Grief & Loss was our facilitator. There were a total of five people who joined Buffy online.
During our time, we discussed the importance of finding people who are comfortable talking about death and dying, which Death Café is a comfort zone. It was mentioned that providers having comfort during conversations about death and dying can be valuable for patients and a great resource. Listening is so important while talking to someone about death & dying. We spent time discussing different words used to talk about death, dying, and how ...
Death Cafe Dunedin NZ Write up
Posted by AnkesDeathCafe on Dec. 6, 2023, 4:25 a.m.
Shepherdstown WV Death Cafe: Tea, Cake and Conversation Write up
Posted by Tracy Seffers on Dec. 5, 2023, 12:58 p.m. 2 comments
For our inaugural offering, we had 11 community members come for tea and cake (gratefully received), amazing conversation, and not a little laughter.
Tracy opened the session with a reading of Mary Oliver's "When Death Comes".
The usual round of introductions included an invitation to "tell us why you are here" - prompting lovely stories, with much head nodding and affirmation around the circle.
Questions ranged from, "Why do we not want to tell people that we are sick until it's too late?" to "What do you want to come back as in your next life?"
Several wonderful books were mentioned as resources:
- "The Book of Two ...
Washington DC Congressional Cemetery Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Laura Lyster-Mensh - HCC on Nov. 20, 2023, 4:59 p.m.
It was a lively conversation visited by several dogs who ran into the chapel curious about what we were doing. With lovely sweet snacks provided by the Congressional Cemetery staff, we settled in to conversation that circled and grew. Even the silences were thoughtful.
What an impactful evening. Thank you to all who come out.
City of Roses Death Cafe Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Nov. 19, 2023, 6:46 p.m.
Saturday afternoon 24 of us gathered for tea, cake and gluten free cookies. Our large group touched on the difficulty some people have responding to us when we mention a seriously ill family member or a death that we are grieving; how to develop meaningful rituals celebrating a life; and the pain that a life ended by suicide can leave in its wake. Several of us described the impact of living through the AIDS pandemic has had on us.
Thanks to the generosity of QM we had not one, but two chocolate cakes to enjoy. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of others, the dishes were washed and dried and ...