Death Cafe write-ups
Glasgow Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Bob Stoner on July 11, 2023, 11:07 a.m.
No the bread hadn't gone mouldy. It is wonderful when our conversations can include multiple cultures and how they can change our perspective. So, today from UK and Chinese cultures, we saw the way that humour rarely gets a look in when talking about death - until you get to a Death Cafe. We noticed that it can be a great release to possibly write a letter to the deceased, explaining the differences from the past, and possibly burning it and put that into the grave. We, again, wondered whether it was a good idea to cover the coffin with the lid as although we could see our ...
Death Cafe North Canterbury NZ Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on July 4, 2023, 4:53 a.m.
We held our second Rangiora Death Café North Canterbury – it was a loud, busy affair! We were a group of 9 and noises were made when we discussed the eye-watering prices of funerals. We talked about many different options, shopping around and talking through what is wanted, what matters and just exactly who is the funeral for.
It was a great discussion about the practicalities of life and death – and certainly sent me home with plenty of homework and research to do.
Stay well and warm; and keep talking, Liz :)
Kaiapoi Library 1.30 pm: August 20th, November 19th
Rangiora Library 1.30 pm: September 17 ...
Bristol Death Cafe Write up
Posted by simonedavis@southmead.org on July 3, 2023, 8:38 a.m.
This was our second Death Cafe. We enjoyed the scents of some freshly picked lavender and lemon balm as a bouquet on the table. The banana bread offered was quite a nostalgic hit with someone commenting it tasted exactly like his late wife's recipe. We talked about the rituals we create in order to feel closer to the people we've lost. And we've discussed Will writing. We've booked our next session and look forward to it.
Death Cafe - Ellershouse Write up
Posted by Kathryn Murphy on June 27, 2023, 7:35 a.m.
Another wonderful gathering with thoughtful and engaging discussion.
Virtual Death Cafe EDT Write up
Posted by suemannell on June 26, 2023, 11:24 a.m.
Sometimes when the number of participants is small, we are able to share more deeply and offer more vulnerability. Discussions today included those around POA's (power of attorney), wills, tough conversations and when do we start them.
We look forward to more gatherings in the fall when we start them on zoom again. Be well!
City of Roses Death Cafe Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on June 25, 2023, 5:02 p.m.
Our June City of Roses Death Cafe was small, but we had a far-ranging discussion of death and dying. In particular we discussed how these topics come up in family--as well as resistance to discussing them at all.
Looking forward to our next Death Cafe on July 29 at the Leaven Community.
Virtual Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on June 21, 2023, 3:07 p.m.
For our June Death Café Iowa, we met via Zoom with facilitator, Buffy Peters, from Hamilton’s Academy of Grief and Loss. Four individuals attended the Death Café this month which made for a small and intimate group.
One member had recently been to a child’s funeral and brought many questions to the group conversation in regards to younger age deaths. We talked about the uncertainty of death and how a child’s death can make us rethink our own expectations of death especially the time frame in which death is “supposed” to happen.
In the case of our member who recently experienced a child’s funeral ...
Bristol Death Cafe Write up
Posted by simonedavis@southmead.org on June 21, 2023, 3:56 a.m.
There were 3 of us who attended the first Death Cafe here in North Bristol, UK. We had lemon cake (although it was not my best bake the others were complimentary about it). Our chats took on a philosophical nature as we talked about fears and thoughts about death and dying. One participant was also a theatre writer and was writing a piece about death and dying and wanted to come as research which was fascinating. Discussing these things makes us feel more alive. We're looking forward to the next one which will be on the 28th June 2023 4:30pm-6pm at the Greenway Centre.
Manchester CT Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Kay Fragomeni on June 20, 2023, 9:51 a.m.
Unfortunately this Death Cafe was supposed to happen during the peak of COVID lockdown. We were really sad about it, particularly since it was a time when we really all could have used some open conversation about death.
Capitol Hill Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Laura Lyster-Mensh - HCC on June 15, 2023, 2:25 p.m.
We met in the cemetery chapel again this month, with a circle of about 20 people including both regular and first time participants. Our facilitator, Valoria Walker, convened the gathering with an invitation to fully feel our emotions as they came up. Topics evolved, including: the need to do better supporting families facing a death, fresh grief re-surfacing after a long time, new technologies for caring for bodies after death, differing cultural views of death, the role of rituals, finding respect across different spiritual and atheist belief systems, and signs we see from those beyond the grave. Our host, Congressional Cemetery, provided sweet treats and beverages, and tissues ...
Glasgow Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Bob Stoner on June 14, 2023, 3:11 a.m.
We started with the story of the Ecuadorean lady who had been pronounced dead in hospital, and was eventually taken by the family to the wake. During the mourning there was knocking heard. They checked the coffin to find that the knocking was coming from within. The coffin was opened to find the lady breathing hard, and alive! We also discussed whether ceremetries shoud be neat or messy: did it matter that the edges hadn't been trimmed?
One question related to the death of a neighbour, one without relatives. If there was no funeral, how might the neighbourhood mourn? As one attendee said: "I used to hate ...
Death Cafe Dunedin (NZ !) Write up
Posted by AnkesDeathCafe on June 12, 2023, 8:36 p.m.
Our June meeting was as busy and chatty as the 2 previous ones. I start all meetings with lighting a candle and reading a short poem or piece of something and end it with another one. So pleased to see that this seems to be liked by attendants so much so somebody else has volunteered a this last meeting to read. Such a happy bunch talking about something the rest of the world out there seems to dread and miss out on!
Death Cafe North Canterbury NZ Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on June 10, 2023, 11:41 p.m.
We held our second Death Café North Canterbury recently at Kaiapoi library – it was a smaller affair with just two people, a lovely elderly couple, which meant we could really drill down into some very practical and personal issues – and it meant a ¼ of the delicious chocolate each! (no - we didn’t!)
It was a great discussion about the practicalities of life and death – and certainly sent me home with plenty of homework and research to do.
Stay well and warm; and keep talking, Liz :)
Death Cafe - Ellershouse Write up
Posted by Kathryn Murphy on June 9, 2023, 6:58 a.m.
We had a great turn out! 20 people. The discussion was a good one - talking about the possibility of experiencing a good death.
The group requested another meeting. We will meet again - same place and time on 21 June.
The group requested we speak about MAiD (medical assistance in dying) in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Melbourne Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Carmel OBeirne on June 7, 2023, 1:48 a.m.
Thankyou to the group of women this time who gathered on a cold and wet Melbourne Sunday morning and opened their hearts to share all things death and dying.
Most agreed that these gatherings are so valuable and that in our day to day lives and communities it isnt always easy to find people to talk with about death and dying and end of life generally . They really are taboo subjects for many and we are happy to be breaking this barrier and talking more openly about what is true to us in living and dying .
Thanks to Paula for supporting me again with the facilitating and to ...