Death Cafe write-ups
Low Country Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Jan Schreiber on March 14, 2018, 2:41 p.m.
Once again, we met at THE BRIDGE TO AVALON. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the first day of daylight savings time. Maybe explains why we had 4 no-shows! Nevertheless, we did a good job of filling the room with 14 participants. Half of the guests were new to Death Cafe, but that didnt stop us from having a very full and interesting conversation. Topics ranged from painful, first hand experience with spousal, sibling and parental loss, to helping friends transition through the death experience themselves. It was acknowledged that death conversation is becoming more mainstream!
Death Cafe - Warren Write up
Posted by gloriamcunningham on March 12, 2018, 3:29 p.m.
To our surprise we had 14 people at our first Death Cafe, none of which were the people that had responded on Facebook that they were interested in attending, so they were all new to us. They had either seen posters or calendar events in local papers.
Despite a little confusion as to how we should organize the group in the beginning, we settled in for a great discussion. Our evaluations asked for 3 words to describe their experience. Here are some of them: Welcoming, Informative, Healthy, Comfortable, Flowing, Emotional, Aware, Touching and Enlightened. Two people even specifically wrote that they would return! We look forward to it ...
The weather was just not cooperating on this Saturday afternoon, Four courageous and hardy folks showed up, though, and we had a delightful two hour conversation filled with a range of emotions and feelings.
As we concluded, our Death Cafe attendees hugged and exchanged best wishes and regards.
We did enjoy cake, coffee, tea, chocolates and great conversation. Because five people cannot eat a cake ordered for a dozen, the Library staff reaped the uneaten cake and cookies.
We are thankful to the Staff at the Lebanon Community Library for their support and for providing the meeting room.
We never show pictures of attendees' faces, but we always ...
Death Cafe Taunton Write up
Posted by Nicole Durman on March 8, 2018, 6:57 a.m.
On 27 January, Death Cafe Taunton held their third meeting at the Creative Innovation Centre in Taunton, hosted by Nicole Stanfield Caile. The event was well-attended by about thirty people.
The cafe featured delicious cake and refreshments, plus lively and enthusiastic discussion about all aspects of death.
Wallace Stuart Funeral Directors were again in attendance, and brought a lovely vintage coffin with a viewing window for attendees to see. Cafe attendees could also view the progress on Nicole's embroidered shroud.
As always, the venue was perfect and great conversation and cake was had by all. The next Death Cafe Taunton meeting will be part of Taunton Death ...
Vancouver Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Janet Rivers on March 4, 2018, 3:31 p.m.
On Mar 01 we had 6 in attendence. We did have issues getting the elevator door to open on the main floor for a wheelchair participant and had to move the meeting upstairs. There was a wide range of topics discussed and everyone was happy with the ginger tea and brownies.
2nd Alton Death Cafe Write up
Posted by wendelienmcnicoll on March 2, 2018, 8:14 a.m.
Twelve of us braved the extremely cold wintery conditions to attend the Death Cafe at the Allen Gallery in Alton. Apart from one attendee, it was a new experience for the others. From the feedback I received, all found it a really interesting, moving and very healing experience. Sadly, Diana got flu and couldn’t be there on the night but I had fantastic help from the two volunteers Sheila and Pat, and the group was very helpful. We stayed in a circle and after the welcome and introductions it took a few minutes to get going but then the end came as a surprise to most, as ...
Monmouth County Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Beth Almerini on Feb. 28, 2018, 7:37 p.m.
Bucket lists, 'negative bucket lists', death doulas, bereavement, the challenge of filling out EOL paperwork and why we avoid it, the importance of kindness, and the controversies around aid in dying. So many different topics and such different perspectives! Please join us next month!
Death Cafe Albany Write up
Posted by Melissa White on Feb. 28, 2018, 10:35 a.m.
Death Cafe Albany in February included 14 of us, 6 returnees and 8 new attendees. We started by choosing a word we each wished to be covered during the conversation, and we also ended with a "takeaway" word each, which was a nice simple closure ceremony. I wish I'd written them all down on a board or made visible by all, as well as to keep a record. I recall hearing positive surprises like "career," "discovery," "love," and "curiosity," as well as "soul," "afterlife," "grief," and "community grief." Attendees were generous bringing homebaked goods, and helping me set up and take down supplies. Much of the Death ...
Death Cafe Buffalo LAUNCH! Write up
Posted by LoveIsLiberation on Feb. 26, 2018, 11:43 a.m. 1 comment
Bowing deeply to each and every person who joined us for the launch, offering their wisdom, curiosity and vulnerability. As my momma used to say, "No one makes it outta here alive." We are all truly in this together, and yesterday really felt like that.
A huge thank you to Sistar Maura of Sewing Souls Studios for making sacred space for this conversation ♡ You are amazing, Sistar! ♡
Going by yesterday's turn out of nearly 50 attendees, Buffalo seems really hungry for this dialogue, so we have decided to hold the cafe monthly!
Stay tuned to Death Cafe Buffalo for forthcoming event page and updates♡
In the ...
Death Cafe Bristol Write up
Posted by MaryTutaev on Feb. 25, 2018, 12:11 a.m.
Our first meeting for the New Year's hosted by Mary and Gwen .....a meeting that attracted a lively group of people all curious to share and discuss ideas and experiences about death..a wonderful range of ages came together and explored this subject with a sensitive approach, refection and of course welcome cups of tea and cake! We are a friendly group and welcome new and older members .
First North Enfield Death Cafe
The first North Enfield Death Cafe took place on 19th February in the Lancaster Centre. There were 8 participants. All liked the venue, and comments included “excellent but parking is difficult”; “very pleasant, nice and calm and good facilities”; “the low-level lighting was, I thought, essential”; “perfect”.
Comments by participants on their experience of the cafe included: “informal, pleasant, relaxing discussion that helps reduce fear and unfamiliarity with a very important subject”; “it was relaxing and open”; “contributions were unique and therefore thought provoking, [offering] gentle reassurance”; “a great bonding of strangers with the same interest”; “I would recommend it to anyone ...
Death Cafe Albany Write up
Posted by Melissa White on Feb. 21, 2018, 1:46 p.m.
Death Cafe Albany is on today! Thank you for reaching out, and I hope to see some of you there later today.
If you would like to be added for future updates, message me with your email address, and/or join the Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/407722362995111/
("Forthcoming" is British English for "future" instead of the American English for "pending.")
Secular Death Cafe Colorado Springs Write up
Posted by Renee L. Reif on Feb. 18, 2018, 12:19 a.m. 1 comment
unexpected, at least 15 people attended, more than were RSVP'ed. There were people who were unable to attend who asked for the next date, which is scheduled for March. Facilitating was easier than I expected, and folks were not as interested in food, but did prefer to keep it at a semi-public location (public library meeting room).
Our Death Cafe was attended by 18 people! Our local paper reported on the event and indeed it has sparked further interest in Death Cafe.
Comments from attendees included very positive feedback, a desire to attend future cafes, and the venue and food were awesome! Our sponsors, Snodgrass Funeral Home, who donated the coffee, tea and amazing treats made by Colossi's Coffee House, who provided us with a cozy place to gather.
Thank you to all participants and sponsors for making High River's first Death Cafe a great success!
We will definitely hold another Death Cafe soon!
Death Cafe Whitstable Write up
Posted by juliefraserreid on Feb. 13, 2018, 7:16 a.m.
Sue And I would like to thank everyone who attended our Death Cafe on the 3th February 2018.
We chatted about many topics including how we all deal with the death of a loved one. Most people in the group had expirenced a death close to them, we found it interesting to hear the many different ways we cope with a death.
As always a big shout out to the staff in the umbrella Cafe for the lovely cakes and drinks.
Many thanks for the donations given at the end for the Umbrella Centre, who kindly allow us to use the lounge free of charge.