Death Cafe write-ups
18 people convened around two tables to explore, share and ruminate about topics related to death ... and life.
This was the second Death Cafe hosted collaboratively by the Library and the Berks County partners' network of the Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources.
Amongst those assembled were first-time participants and several who've sat in on previous Berks County Death Cafes.
Several of those were friends of Judy. Judy attended every previous Berks County Death Cafe; afflicted by breast cancer, she died on January 2, 2019.
Judy, this one is for you.
East Kent Death Cafe Pop Up Write up
Posted by EastKentPopUp on Feb. 7, 2019, 12:20 p.m.
There were eight of us this evening and everybody contributed to the conversation in some way. We talked about:
- not being able to discuss the fact that we're dying with our friends and family and wanting to be heard, how important it is for people to be comfortable when we want to talk and how it feels to be shut down;
- someone dying in the family and no one talking about it;
- different funerals from around the world and how different cultures deal with death and whether or not that makes them more at peace with death;
- how the Victorians used to almost celebrate death and that ...
Six of us last night at Interzone had a powerful discussion focused on the holocaust and other atrocities. The reflections were personal, searching, at times disturbing, ending on a relatively uplifting note.
Death Cafe Edmonton Write up
Posted by Gina Vliet on Feb. 3, 2019, 12:15 a.m.
New Year, new venue for us this Winter Wednesday night, January 30, 2019, and a conversation circle made up of local Edmontonians as well as people travelling in from St. Albert, Leduc, and Stony Plain. The meetup was lively and at times emotional, as we discussed for starters, did we want to die alone or surrounded by people. We talked about the sacredness of witnessing a loved one’s death, and how some would prefer for themselves that this last rite of passage be by invitation only.
This led to conversation about Near Death Experiences (NDE’s) from both the scientific and personal experience perspectives. Then some attendees ...
Death Cafe Wien Write up
Posted by Alexandra Kleinheinz on Jan. 30, 2019, 8:18 a.m.
So könnte ein Motto für das Death Cafe lauten, wenn wir eines bräuchten. Für unsere Jänner-Edition hatten sich sieben TeilnehmerInnen angemeldet – gekommen sind zwölf. Ein sehr persönlicher Austausch von unterschiedlichen Perspektiven und Erfahrungen verdichtete sich schnell und bewegte und berührte uns alle. Die Zeit verging wie im Flug, die Erzählungen waren sehr persönlich. Immer wieder beeindruckt mich die Offenheit und Ungeschminktheit mit der sich fremde Menschen im Death Cafe begegnen. Ein Teilnehmer berichtete von der letzten intensiven Zeit mit seiner Mutter – er hat sie beim Sterben begleitet. Berichte von der eigenen Todessehnsucht, Empörung über den Tod und ...
Встреча началась с обсуждения философских взглядов на смерть, затем участники поделились пожеланиями применительно к собственной кончине. Как всегда не обошли тему потери близких. Поговорили о том, как нас меняют утраты и близость собственной смерти. О том, что смерть неожиданно становится реальностью и именно это позволяет нам, людям, особенно остро чувствовать жизнь!
С нетерпением ждем новой встречи, через месяц
PS. Один из участников презентовал проекту козлиный череп. И теперь он станет нашим талисманом:)
Greetings, Death Positive People!
Our January 9th Death Café – Hillsborough (DC-H) was a positive and stimulating way to start off 2019! What a great group of 16 interesting folks! Thank you to those who came. Below is a summary of our discussions (links included, different subjects marked with an ‘*’) followed by a couple of relevant events, then details about the next DC-H on 02/13/2019.
Here are some of the many questions asked that we explored: *Geri asked if any had felt the presence of, or seen signs from, someone who died that you had known; *Heather asked if anyone had had a dream in which ...
So what a great assembly of interesting people we had today.
27 interesting people with wonderful contributions coupled with special table facilitators, delicious cakes and coffee and tea presented by the delightful team at the Long Community proved to be a magical two hours.
During the wrap-up, one chimed, "Why can't we go for three hours?"
It was a great question, and we'll look at that the next time.
Today's Death Cafe participants included several people who've been at previous Death Cafes and several who had not. The overall feeling is that this Death Cafe, indeed, was an afternoon well invested.
Everyone wants to ...
Williams Lake Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Cariboo Community Deathcaring Network on Jan. 24, 2019, 8:48 a.m.
Fourteen people attended our first Death Cafe of the new year. Looking forward to our next one on February 8th
Death Cafe Tunbridge Wells Write up
Posted by carmeldunmall on Jan. 23, 2019, 12:23 p.m.
We met again at the Trinity. 11 of us attended, there was lively conversation. We discussed DNR, types of buriel, confronting serious illness and death, bereavement and touched on beliefs concerning the after life. There was a warmth and acceptance within the group. An enjoyable afternoon.
Our 01.16.2019 noon gathering was active an interesting with three of us discussing green burials, the symbolism of cremation, and the dynamics of brain health.
Our next gathering is Wed 01.23.2019 6:00-7:00. All are welcome!
In good spirit,
Jon
Death Cafe Albany, NY Write up
Posted by DeathCafeAlbany on Jan. 16, 2019, 6:08 p.m.
On November 13th , we meet this time at The Community Room of The Bethlehem Public Library from 6:30-8pm. We had 19 folks there and this time meet in groups of 4 at tables. One person told me they enjoyed the 4 instead of 6 we had in groups last time.We again had many new faces and nearly half were returning friends.
When the groups spokesperson shared the topics had been:
The After Life can be whatever you imagine it to be and what you bring to it.
It is not abnormal to often think and talk about death.
After death communications and messages.
How children process ...
An excellent gathering with eight participants, including two new members. The conversation centered on personal experiences, but also touched on the relations of grief and love. Such a lovely group of fine individuals.
At this death cafe mortals will gather to eat (cake), drink (tea) and discuss death. Our intention is to create life-enhancing communal spaces where we practice connecting to the life cycle and each other.
EE Miller, a death educator and doula, facilitates welcoming, queer-centered group discussions, making space for everyone to hear and savor generative, (undervalued) voices, perspectives, and formations.
15 people participated in this Death Cafe, including several returnees from our previous meeting in September. We covered a wide range of topics- among the topics that generated a lot of discussion were the benefits of hospice and the importance of asking the loved one who is dying what they want done now and after their passing. We discussed the existence of the soul and some participants who were present at a death said they witnessed the soul departing the body. Many of the group supported the idea that persons who are dying can fight to stay on until a loved one arrives to say goodbye, or until ...