Death Cafe write-ups
Swanage Death Cafe Write up
Posted by peterneall on Nov. 30, 2024, 5:19 a.m.
THe fourth Swanage Death Cafe was as interesting, intriguing and informative as the previous three.
There were nine of us, four who had been at least once before, and five newbies.
The fact that Parliament was voting on an Assisted Dying bill as we spoke gave the event an added poignancy and at the closing check in everyone said 'lets do it again - so we will in the coming year.
Discussion ranged from experiences of close ones dying, managing family deaths, planning for 'a good funeral', psychedelic healing and more.
Completion sheets emphasised feelingg welcome, being heard and experiencing truth.
Andthe home made cake again hit the mark!
Virtual Death Cafe Albany, CA USA PDT Write up
Posted by JimKirkpatrick on Nov. 27, 2024, 8:02 a.m.
Genevieve and Jim have been co hosting since 2022. The November Virtual Death Cafe welcomed 5 women and a man . We live in USA West, South, South East, North East, Midwest and Canada . After introductions, conversations flow including laughter, deep sharing, tears and deep listening. 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 that meets in December. Genevieve and Jim will welcome all again 22nd of December.
This evening I attended my first Death Cafe gathering. I am so glad I did not come up with an excuse not to attend. It was warm, and welcoming. Interesting shared experiences. The time flew by.
Toni
Thirteen people attended the event in Blarney and it was a very positive experience. The host and facilitators were very encouraged by the turnout and the participation of people and would certainly be interested in hosting another Death Cafe!
How would you rate this event?
Average score 4.8
Excellent- I didn’t know what to expect; but would like a chance to consider the issues more deeply
Surprisingly optimistic and practical
Relaxed, welcoming space for sharing
Would you say that attending this event affected your feelings about death and/or life?
Yes, to be more positive
Not hugely but it will make me think more
Appreciate everyday ...
Peninsula Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Peninsula Death Cafe on Nov. 20, 2024, 3:17 a.m.
I didn't realize until a couple days before that my event was published on deathcafe.com. Since my event wasn't published early on deathcafe.com, very few people were able to see the event. Also, I didn't do much outreach either due to being busy and having a lack of network. Outside of deathcafe.com, I posted an event on Facebook only.
On the day of, I showed up, but no one attended (which I expected). I ended up reading. I took it as a learning experience to double check with the Death Cafe team to see if my event is published. This was a ...
Southwark Death Cafe/CANCELLED Write up
Posted by BlackfriarsSettlement on Nov. 19, 2024, 9:27 a.m.
APOLOGIES.
We have had to cancel this weeks Death Cafe Thursday Nov 21 2024 due to techinal issues. Our space is in process of refurbishmsnent.
See you all next time!
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - November 2024 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on Nov. 13, 2024, 9:27 p.m.
Central Houston's November 2024 Death Cafe
We had ~20 people attend this month's dialogue.
As before, I've compiled some notes. Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local events and groups:
- until November 17th: Theatre adaptation of The Year of Magical Thinking
https://mainstreettheater.com/year-of-magical-thinking/
- The Jung Center https://junghouston.org/
Books
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7815.The_Year_of_Magical_Thinking
- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56769575-stiff?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=y2mq0EL51m&rank=2
- King Arthur and the Holy Grail ...
Las Cruces Death Cafe Write up
Posted by MaryKay Brady on Nov. 8, 2024, 7:33 a.m.
It is my pleasure to share with all of you that support Death Cafe, that the 5 recently held in Las Cruces NM averaged 10-17 folks each evening!
Lively discussion with both sadness and laughter as well as a meeting of different cultures-Spanish and Muslim alike.
Branigan Cultural Center provided a safe space as well as appropriate beverages and baked goods.
Thos October only event for the last two years will now morph into once per month beginning in 2025!
Stay tuned for details as they become available and thank you!
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 ...