Death Cafe write-ups
Death Cafe Iowa CDT Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Aug. 21, 2025, 10 a.m.
Our most recent Death Café was held August 19th, 2025 and we had 7 people in attendance. We covered a variety of topics this month and had some great conversations! One thing we covered was talking about bereaved children, and how to care for them or talk to them in an appropriate manner. Our biggest topic that we discussed was the idea of finding your room, reading the room, and using your room! This means finding the people you can talk to about these tougher topics, knowing what you can say to them, and once you find them - being open to having those conversations and value those ...
Psychopomp Kitsap County Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Manda Peckham on Aug. 19, 2025, 9:54 p.m.
I had no idea just how energizing it would be to talk about death with so many others. In the past these conversations have always felt either clandestine, stolen between friends "going through something", or at church, with talk of a guaranteed afterlife (strings attatched). Our Death Cafe was neither.
Some of this might have to do with the location--The Witch at The Edge of The Park agreed to host our circle at her shop, and the engergy of the group rose to the occasion.
I didn't realize how apprehensive I was to see the following hour unfurl until I stood up to introduce myself and our ...
Death Cafe Acomb Write up
Posted by lewis.lansford on Aug. 15, 2025, 4:27 a.m.
Seven of us gathered for this meeting. We spoke openly, we listened, we laughed, we cried. According to the feedback, it was:
• Thought-provoking, entertaining, worthwhile
• Friendly, non-judgemental, wonderful
• Fun conversations
• Trusting environment
• Powerful, enlightening, liberating
• Open, refreshing, safe
• Validating, relaxed
Other feedback:
• It’s refreshing to speak to people who are not scared of death.
• No answer is wrong.
• No shame in dying.
A big thank you to everyone who showed up and made it happen.
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Aug. 10, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
We had good attendance today and Scott facilitated. Cake, tea and ice water were shared. Even though the meeting was smaller the conversation was robust and filled the full two hours. There had been recent loss in the group with need to dialogue. An experienced health care provider shared their experiences. We discussed ways to assure that your wishes are respected near the end of life. Several attendees discussed fear from various perspectives, and the group was able to provide valuable insights. Frustrations with lack of communication from family was a common theme. We discussed POLST, advanced directives and end of life decision makers.
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - August 2025 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on Aug. 8, 2025, 4:54 p.m.
Central Houston's August 2025 Death Cafe
We had over ~35 people attend this month's Death Cafe, and thanks to the library had rooms available to divide the group in two. It has been a week and I'm still parsing all that was shared by the group I facilitated -- almost half were first timers to a Death Cafe. I am in awe of the vulnerability, strength, laughter, and care that came out of two hours on a Saturday morning. Thank you, one and all.
Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue.
If there is something missing from my list you'd ...
A Highland Park IL Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Danny Frohman on Aug. 5, 2025, 2:09 p.m.
We had 26 folks show up for our first cafe at the HP Senior Center. Three even came all the way from Woodstock in mutual support for our common efforts. Lots of comments, lots of questions, and strong support for a regular event. Great start!
Death Cafe - an important conversation Write up
Posted by finaljourneydoula on July 26, 2025, 3:48 p.m.
We had six people attend this time. It was 95 degrees outside and a large amount of residents are snowbirds, so I consider this a good number.
The discussion was especially meaningful in that one person traveled more than an hour to attend and was motivated to learn. Another shared a personal situation and said she felt good about what she picked up; new ideas and words to bring back home.
We will do it again in October!
Swanage Death Cafe Write up
Posted by peterneall on July 26, 2025, 3:17 a.m.
Seven of us met on a beautiful Summer afternoon in Central Swanage. WE had one newcomer and all others had come to this Death Cafe at least once before.
Introductions revealed a treasure trove of experience and wisdom about life, death and all between.
The conversation explored pilgrimage, chronic conditions, diet for curing connditions and the importance of friendship.
I left referhed and intrigued felling I'd spent a valuable couple of hours.
WE will met again in the autumn - watch this space!
10 Death Cafe participants braved a late afternoon thunderstorm to the sanctuary of this mid-week Death Cafe at Chapin Memorial Library in downtown Myrtle Beach.
Though most of the people at today's Death Cafe were total strangers when they entered the room and took seats around the table. But within minutes of starting, you'd never know they were.
Each quickly warmed quickly to the idea that this was a safe place to ask their questions and to listen intently to the conversations that followed.
Of course, there was cake, tea, coffee and some cookies. The joy of sharing food certainly led to a place in which ...
Central Houston’s Monthly Death Cafe - July 2025 Write up
Posted by Houston Death Cafe on July 20, 2025, 11:25 p.m.
Central Houston's July 2025 Death Cafe
We had ~25 people attend this month's moving and meaningful discussion. Thanks to all who came out on a Saturday morning and shared the space.
Below you can find links to various things mentioned during the dialogue:
Local groups
- Blazing Star Sanctuary (Katy, Texas Green Burial)
https://naturesburial.org/
Books
- Civilized to Death: What Was Lost on the Way to Modernity by Christopher Ryan
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28596619-civilized-to-death?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=1ayCz2OD54&rank=1
- The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61214136-the-collected-regrets-of-clover
- The Day I Die: The Untold ...
As one participant perfectly framed our purpose: "It (death) happens, so why not talk about it?"
Our conversation centered on the universal fear of death; the loss of control, anxiety of the unknown, and the fear of the dying process itself. We acknowledged the deep desire to not be isolated in our final moments and to spare our families from fear and stress. Amidst these concerns, a participant shared the beautiful idea of appreciating that their molecules will one day rejoin the universe, and perhaps one day bump into their grandparent's molecules, turning a fear of ending into a hope for reconnection.
We left with some powerful ...
Chat about Death (Death Cafe Kendal UK) Write up
Posted by Jo Tait and Berni Riley on July 19, 2025, 9:35 a.m.
Thanks to all the people who joined us at the Brewery over the past three weeks.
Each session was wonderfully different from the last - a few people came to all three and some only found out in time to join us for the last session.
Each week, the conversations gave rise to stories and experience, fears and hopes around the topic of death - and not surprisingly, life, too! The Brewery cafe staff were unfailingly cheerful and hospitable.
We hope to run another series of 3 later in the summer / early Autumn. Please contact us if you would prefer a different day or venue - we are not wedded to ...
Enhusiastic, concerned and interesting conversation filled the allocated time slot for this month's Myrtle Beach Death Cafe at Chapin Memorial Library.
Thank you everyone, the staff at Chapin Memorial Library and the 10 area residents who attended and made this gathering so meaningful.
Thank you, Jennifer, for the beautifully, terrific cake and thank you, Death Cafe participants for your stories and openness which turned our group of strangers into kindred spirits.
Our next Death Cafe will be Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Library. Space is limited; so registration is imperative.
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on July 13, 2025, 10:25 p.m.
We had a wide-ranging cafe today. We discussed personal experiences with individuals who were dying. Fear was discussed several times from various perspectives. The dying process was of interest as was what we expect after death. Frustrations were expressed with uncommunicative relatives, health care providers, and unhelpful friends. We discussed end of life preparation and care. POLST, wills, and advanced directives were of interest to the group. We also discussed psychedelics as an end of life adjunct. The group was very engaged.
It was a small and intimate gathering, with one person attending her first Death Cafe. We discussed recent losses, and how loved ones can really organize to be part of the death, which is meaninful for all. And how Zoom helps for those far away. We also discussed the aging process, our own mortality and shared our bucket lists.