Death Cafe write-ups
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.
Herne Hill Death Cafe Write up
Posted by annkenrick on Oct. 17, 2024, 7:31 a.m.
Report on Death Café in the Carnegie Library, Herne Hill on 15th October 2024
Around twenty people of all ages gathered – all apart from one had not attended a Death Café in the past.
We divided into two groups and the discussion included:
· Different funerals (and living funerals) and how important it was for those present to have one that reflected their life and personality. Remember that the funeral is for those left behind as well as the person who has died
· In an increasingly secular society where do we mourn our dead? – some had parents who had wanted a church funeral even if they were not ...
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - October 2024 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on Oct. 12, 2024, 9:49 p.m.
Central Houston's October 2024 Death Cafe
We had about 20 people attend this month's high energy discussion!
Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local events and groups:
- Houston Zen Center: Preparing for Your Own Death class: https://houstonzen.org/classes/preparing-for-your-own-death-1
- Bo's Place: https://www.bosplace.org/en/
- The Jung Center: https://junghouston.org/
- Community for Conscious Aging: https://www.communityforconsciousaging.org/
- Free West University Aging Solo workshop (this is offered several time throughout the year):
https://www.amazingplacehouston.org/community-education/aging-solo/
Books
- 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying: How to Nurture What Really Matters by Karen M ...
Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Oct. 8, 2024, 10:43 a.m.
Our most recent Death Café was held September 17th and had 3 people in attendance. Due to there being only 3 of us this time around, we did have quite a short meeting this month ☹ We touched on a handful of topics, beginning with the planning of your funeral and how this pre-planning may benefit or take away from your family’s experience. However, the bulk of our conversation actually surrounded body donation! With one of our attendees having chosen this, the recent horror stories in Texas of unclaimed deceased being illegally sold had naturally been on their mind. We then ended our conversation with how all ...
As our September Death Café commenced in our usual meeting space, the Creative Library, I was struck by the fact that it seemed as though it was only yesterday that we had met as a group. Which then made me think of the passage of time, and how our understanding and experience of that seems to change across the lifespan, that is, as we live out our lives. Why is this, I wonder? Is it time that changes, or is it us? Is it our changing sense of self which in turn seeps into our way of being in the world/ which is the cause?
This metaphysical musing ...
Death Cafe North Canterbury NZ Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on Oct. 1, 2024, 2:37 a.m.
It was a sunny but cold winter day today in Amberley and we had five people – two couples, and the conversation was lively and robust. After sharing thoughts and musings, and general kōrero, we honed in on two main questions – what do you do when your loved one dies? Bluntly put: “if I wake up and my partner has died, what do I do?” We travelled down the ‘expected death’ pathway and the ‘unexpected death’ pathway. The other discussion was around natural burials, eco burials and green burials – what are they? What are the differences? And where in Canterbury can these happen?
Great stuff!
Until again, Liz
The Huntington Beach, CA Zen Den Death Cafe - Write up
Posted by Lisa Stuhley on Sept. 22, 2024, 4:12 p.m.
This was my first time hosting a Death Cafe after attending many over the years and I was very happy with it! We had about 6 people and everyone was excited to learn more about the process of the Death Cafe. Everyone took time to share and it became a very natural round robin conversation. There were light and fluffy subjects to very heavy and all were held in the space beautifully and met with acceptance.
Swanage Death Cafe Write up
Posted by peterneall on Sept. 18, 2024, 2:36 p.m.
A slightly smaller group than previously met with Lucinda and Peter Neall in the friendly premisses of The Loft COmmunity Centre. Peter's homemade chocolate cake is becoming legendary!
As before there were a. couple of folk who had had no previous experience of a Death Cafe, they were surprised at their own honesty and the depth to which they quickly allowed themselves to go 'with complete strangers'.
As we get used to one another the conversation is less about others, and more intimate and I think, more healthy.
We will meet again in a month or so.
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - September 2024 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on Sept. 13, 2024, 9:18 p.m. 4 comments
Central Houston's September 2024 Death Cafe
We were so happy to be hosted by Omega House Hospice in Montrose this month! Over 20 folks were in attendance, from all ages and walks of life. What an incredible group and conversation together.
Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local events and groups:
- Houston Zen Center: Preparing for Your Own Death class:
https://houstonzen.org/classes/preparing-for-your-own-death-1
- Texas A&M University Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center:
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/stevenson-center/
Books
- Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying by Ram Dass
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39346786-walking-each-other-home?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_23 ...
I had my first Death Cafe 9/7/24. It was was well attended and well received. It was free flowing without an agenda. There was in depth and thoughttful discussion around death and dying and living. I'm hoping to have one every two months. I was very encouraged by the feedback I received.
Becki Mudgett
Fort Collins, CO
Huntly Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Grampian_Death_Cafe on Sept. 8, 2024, 1:02 p.m.
We had an unexpectedly lively meeting with three first-time members contributing to the lively discussion.
Our August Death Café took place on the eve of Spring, with locals and tourists alike thronging the surrounds of the library. Above them, a small group of people were gathering together to talk about a shared interest and curiosity; death.
Our conversation was spirited, especially when the work of Carl Jung and theoretical quantum physicist Wolfgang Pauli was discussed. From the lofty realms of the archetypal unconscious to Ray Martin’s TV series, The Last Goodbye, Death Café did not disappoint. Other topics discussed included the role that black humour and death jokes play as a coping mechanism when grieving, and, thinking about our end of life ...
Los Angeles Death Cafe Write up
Posted by janemiller18 on Sept. 3, 2024, 12:06 a.m.
Had about 20 people show up! lovely weather. I wonder if I want to cap these somehow -- it's amazing to see so much interest, but tricky to have a real group conversation with that many people. super friendly, earnest group.