Death Cafe write-ups
In spite of a sweltering July afternoon, 20 people came together at the first ever Death Cafe in Mount Joy at the Milanof-Schock Public Library.
Thankful for the air-conditioned comfort of the Library, participants openly shared their thoughts and questions during the two-hour event.
We hasten to say "thank you" to facilitators, Meghan and Jeannie; the library staff and the Death Cafe attendees for their time, energies and collegiality.
Yesterday's was the fourth Death Cafe in Lancaster County in 2017 - the next is slated for September.
Monmouth County Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Beth Almerini on July 19, 2017, 2:47 p.m.
A death doula, a thanantologist, a retired nurse, a few Quakers, a few people who had cared for dying loved ones and some people intrigued by the idea of talking about death walked into a room and were glad they did! We shared personal stories, tried to figure out why the death care system is the way it is, talked about death doulas and how to work with people who are dying. And then we enjoyed cake and kept on talking. We decided to do it again in August!
Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on July 19, 2017, 10:36 a.m.
July’s Death Café was the 7th for Death Café Iowa of the year. For this meeting we met at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Carrie Bauer and Buffy Peters (members of the Young Bereavement Professionals Group) facilitated the group. We had 7 people (all women) in attendance ranging in ages and professions. Introductions seemed to focus on events that has happened in our lives since the last Death Café. We talked quite a bit about Jon Underwood’s death, funeral and the legacy he left behind. Other topics initially discussed were a member’s trip to China and the quality of ...
Death Cafe Iowa Write up
Posted by DeathCafeIowa on July 19, 2017, 10:03 a.m.
This was the 6th for the Death Café Iowa Group for 2017. We met at Caribou Coffee on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. Carrie Bauer, Carmen Elliott, and Buffy Peters (members of the Young Bereavement Professionals Group) facilitated the group. We had 9 people (8 women, 1 man) in attendance and they ranged in ages and professions. Some topics that came up during introductions were: green cremation, cremation by freezing, wanting an ‘advanced directive kit’, sound wave tattoos and the app that makes listening to your loved ones voice via the sound wave tattoo possible, cremated remains in an urn in a stuffed animal (comforting for ...
Ann Arbor Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Merilynne Rush on July 17, 2017, 9:14 a.m.
Very moving discussion with so many present who had had a recent, profound loss. We also discussed our gratitude for Jon Underwood and the impact of his work world-wide. Questions and thoughts:
Is there a connection between our own physical symptoms and someone's death? For example, someone having very low blood pressure while, unbeknownst to him, his mother was dying?
How do we connect to those who have passed? Sometimes we get signs from them immediately and sometimes it takes a few months for signs to appear.
What do we learn from near-death experiences? Many of us have had them, not alwasy in the dramatic form we ...
Death Cafe in Seattle Write up
Posted by Amanda Allen on July 13, 2017, 11:25 p.m.
This Death Cafe was very enlightening about what people percieve as success in life, and how the preceding generation to ours found attachment in things over experience. We discussed how anxiety can prevent people from living, and how our attachment to things can do the same. We talked about the surprise of death, or how people will allow themselves to seem more needy than they might be because they're afraid of being forgotten if they stop needing help.
Our group is beautiful and sweet, and I believe most of us left with thoughts on how we can minimalize our belongings to the imortant things and leave our ...
Hornby Island, BC Death Cafe XI Write up
Posted by Sylvia Sienikehä Elysiana on July 9, 2017, 12:48 a.m.
A truly beautiful gathering.
Vancouver Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Janet Rivers on July 7, 2017, 7:02 p.m.
This was a smaller group with just 10, but lively conversation. Comments all good and cake delicious. We will take a break over the summer and are planning a fall series.
Janet
Our gathering last night was held in honor of Jon Underwood. Great grattitude was expressed for his work and the continuation of Death Cafe. It seems as though people want to talk about death, and are gratefull to have the place to do it. New comers were present and the conversation was very interesting and flowing. Topics of fear, connecting with the Ancesters, soul fragmentation, and reincarnation were brought up and discussed. The idea of having the funeral before death was brought up. Physco Drama was talked about. All in all, it was another fascinating gathering with very interesting conversation. And of course, the cake and tea was ...
The Lewisham Death Cafe Write up
Posted by LewishamDeathCafe on July 4, 2017, 12:22 p.m.
We met as usual at Costa Coffee in Rushey Green Catford SE6.
There were five of us on this occasion but we were pleased to be able to welcome a newcomer who had had some previous experience of a Death Cafe and was much welcomed.
She had also written a number of articles for journals and newpapers about Death and Dying so we gratefully shared our several views and experiences about Death, and Dying with her.
As usual, we found that during the two hours of our meeting there was no lack of things people wanted to talk about.
WE HAVE NOW MET EVERY MONTH SINCE WE STARTED ...
LGBTQ+ Death Cafe Write up
Posted by nickbaggio on July 4, 2017, 10:40 a.m.
Very well attended - many different views and perspectives presented - felt to be really worthwhile and partipants felt it should be repeated.
We hade lots of different cakes made by both the facilitators and some of the participants!
Thank you everyone for attending our Death Cafe on Saturday, we had a lovely afternoon, and discussed a wide range of topics. Conversation flowed with everyone contibuting. This turned out to be a well attended session with a diverse mix of beliefs and attitudes. All in all a very interesting afternoon. A big shout out to The Umbrella Centre, for letting us use their colourful room, and The Umbrella Cafe, for their great coffee and cakes. They always make us feel so welcome. Our next Death Cafe will be the 16th September 2017 at the same venue and times.
Many Thanks & see you in september!
Julie & Sue
Death Cafe Hawkes Bay Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Hawkes Bay on June 28, 2017, 10:08 p.m.
We had an overwhelming response to our first Death Cafe with big numbers of people through the door. It was a fantastic informative evening enjoyed by all.
Death Cafe Austin - North Write up
Posted by Heather Black on June 27, 2017, 3:35 p.m.
In the last meeting we talked more about avoiding death, and why we need to die. We had some healthcare professionals that talked about disease and the tragedy of dying of some that are very avoidable. We meandered over a number of different topics.
Talk & Treats Death Cafe Write up
Posted by FriendsofHospice on June 26, 2017, 1:32 p.m.
The Talk & Treats Death Cafe in Pullman on June 23 was attended by 6 people. A warm summer evening provided a lovely setting for discussion. It is always a bit magical for people from different backgrounds to bring their thoughts of death to a table so willingly. Some of the comments after the evening expressed a desire to return the next time an event is held, and encouragement for anyone considering attending a death cafe.