Death Cafe write-ups
Shepherdstown WV Death Cafe: Tea, Cake and Conversation Write up
Posted by Tracy Seffers on Dec. 5, 2023, 12:58 p.m. 2 comments
For our inaugural offering, we had 11 community members come for tea and cake (gratefully received), amazing conversation, and not a little laughter.
Tracy opened the session with a reading of Mary Oliver's "When Death Comes".
The usual round of introductions included an invitation to "tell us why you are here" - prompting lovely stories, with much head nodding and affirmation around the circle.
Questions ranged from, "Why do we not want to tell people that we are sick until it's too late?" to "What do you want to come back as in your next life?"
Several wonderful books were mentioned as resources:
- "The Book of Two ...
Washington DC Congressional Cemetery Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Laura Lyster-Mensh - HCC on Nov. 20, 2023, 4:59 p.m.
It was a lively conversation visited by several dogs who ran into the chapel curious about what we were doing. With lovely sweet snacks provided by the Congressional Cemetery staff, we settled in to conversation that circled and grew. Even the silences were thoughtful.
What an impactful evening. Thank you to all who come out.
City of Roses Death Cafe Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Nov. 19, 2023, 6:46 p.m.
Saturday afternoon 24 of us gathered for tea, cake and gluten free cookies. Our large group touched on the difficulty some people have responding to us when we mention a seriously ill family member or a death that we are grieving; how to develop meaningful rituals celebrating a life; and the pain that a life ended by suicide can leave in its wake. Several of us described the impact of living through the AIDS pandemic has had on us.
Thanks to the generosity of QM we had not one, but two chocolate cakes to enjoy. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of others, the dishes were washed and dried and ...
Death Cafe Whangarei Write up
Posted by Jo Moselen on Nov. 19, 2023, 6:01 p.m.
We were a group of seven women who gathered at The Fat Camel Café in Whangarei, NZ, the third time we have gathered at this venue. We don’t ask for RSVP’s, so it’s always surprise as to how many people will attend. I was the facilitator (Jo Moselen) along with support from my colleague Jo Samuel. Being a small group with most people knowing each other or at least acquainted in some way it was a relaxed an intimate gathering where we discussed, End of life choice - how it is and isn't working, the work underway to support an advanced directive for Dementia in ...
After my brother died I sought out music, films and theatre plays on grief, death, loss etc. I came across Bella Beesom's one-woman play "My World Has Exploded A Little Bit" about the deaths of her parents, and in particular father. I went and saw her at the Oval Theatre.
After the play she announced a Death Cafe the following weekend. Never heard of a "death cafe" and registered. Several people signed up, but it ended up only Be;;a and myself chatting. Been to several Death cafe's since and everyone is very uniques and recommendable. Thanks again.
Petra
The Hatfield, MA, Senior Center Death Cafe was held on Nov 2, 2023. Fifteen older adults met to discuss death and our common mortal experience over the traditional coffee and cake. Individuals voiced curiosity and a desire to talk about a subject that is often feared and avoided. Topics included the meaning of a "good death", self determined life closure, and planning for one's eventual demise. Ways to discuss one's end of life care wishes with loved ones was explored, as well as using humor to offset the pangs of dying and grief.
Discussion was engaging, spirited and supportive, and those in attendance welcomed this opportunity ...
Brattleboro VT October Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Denise Glover on Oct. 31, 2023, 8:02 a.m.
The Death Cafe was attended by eleven open-hearted people. We sat around the table and took turns sharing thoughts, feelings, experiences, and questions about death, dying, and grief.
City of Roses Death Cafe Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on Oct. 30, 2023, 1:08 p.m.
Another bright sunny Saturday in Portland, another afternoon of sharing, supporting and connecting around death and dying. Amber facilitated our discussion--kept it moving and kept it open.
Fear was a big part of the conversaion--family members who fear a parent's death, our own fear of death (or is it of suffering while we are dying?). We celebrated this opportunity to talk openly about death and dying. The silence around this topic in our culture is not helpful. We recognized that there is no time to waste, no time to "mess" around.
Chocolate cake was well received.
We meet again on November 18, 2pm at the Leaven Community ...
Virtual Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on Oct. 25, 2023, 8:35 a.m.
We had a virtual Death Café meeting on October 17, 2023 via Zoom. Buffy Peters from Hamilton’s Academy of Grief & Loss was our facilitator. There were a total of six people who joined Buffy online. Many thoughts and ideas about death and dying were metioned during the meeting. We spent some time discussing how we remember our loved ones and different ways to make remembrance unique and meaningful. This time also included a brief discussion about how we handle end of life processes and ways to enhance end of life and death. We talked about different ways that people seek comfort, like, art therapy, yoga, and meditation ...
Our October Death Cafe was described by attendees as ‘eye-opening’, ‘comforting’, ‘beautiful’ ‘relaxed’ and ‘peaceful’. Held in an airy creative space in our new local library location, not even the odd library goer wandering into the room could overly disrupt or disturb the conversation.
It always amazes me, how complete strangers can not only be drawn together by a common goal and interest, but how they can share so courageously and sincerely stories which are incredibly intimate and personal. And again, I’m struck by how death-positive conversations are not only profoundly powerful and transformative for all concerned, but how much they are needed in the community.
My ...
Virtual Death Cafe Louisville EDT Write up
Posted by Justin Magnuson on Oct. 19, 2023, 7:10 p.m.
After ten years of hosting Death Cafes I some times ask myself why I keep doing it. Tonight was the perfect reminder! Ten people from around the world talking about different aspects of death and dying in a respectful way is so energizing.
Peckham Death Cafe Write up
Posted by annkenrick on Oct. 19, 2023, 3:48 a.m.
A group of around 15 people gathered in Peckham Levels with the trains thundering past outside the window. Much laughter and tears and good cake was on offer too. Points raised in the discussion included:
If you want to work out what a 'bad death' is, it's probably better to start with what you believe to be a 'good death'.
Could anxieties about whether you achieved what you wanted for the wider good mean you might have a bad death, even if you're not in pain etc.?
Legacy/how you want to be remembered doesn't have to be anything large scale, but it's up ...
Our September Death Cafe was the first after a long hiatus, and although it fell on a holiday weekend here in Sydney with few attending, the conversation was lively, warm and inclusive.
As usual, topics included the afterlife and spirituality as well as people talking about what brought them to Death Cafe. Some were questioning the existence of God and the loss of their faith, others wanted to be in the company of like-minded souls, free to discuss death and dying in a supportive and understanding environment.
Although it has been a long time since I held a Death Cafe one thing has definitely not changed, how fast ...
Death Cafe Rangiora Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on Oct. 8, 2023, 6:57 p.m.
Death Café in North Canterbury recently, in Rangiora (17.09.2023)
We held our monthly Death Café North Canterbury – it was a quieter meeting, just three souls but this gave room for an in-depth discussions and insights. We explored whether there was a pattern here: when one spouse dies, the other spouse is not invited out as much? We thought this happens a lot and shared many stories of friends and family where this has occurred – and that they experienced effectively a ‘double grief’?
Stay well and keep talking, Liz :)
I AM THANKFUL THAT THE DEATH CAFE' WEBSITE HAS A LISTING WHERE FOLKS CAN SEARCH FOR DEATH CAFE' DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE SCHEDULED. THIS HAD HELPED PEOPLE FROM OUT OF MY AREA TO COME JOIN IN ON THE EVENTS BEING HELD HERE. THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON WHO ATTENDED THE CAFE' TODAY. WE HAD A DELIGHTFUL SESSION AND I PLAN TO HOST THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR. I CHOOSE TO MEET IN OCTOBER, AS THE SEASON SEEMS TO BE A GOOD TIME TO DISCUSS DEATH, AS THE WEATHER COOLS AND LEAVES ARE FALLING AND SOME LIVING THINGS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING TO HIBERNATE OR GO DORMANT. WITH HALLOWEEN ...