Death Cafe write-ups
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on June 9, 2025, 9:42 a.m.
I enjoyed a robust conversation. Generally, it was a quiet and soft-spoken group. No one had been to a Death Cafe before. Several people had left conservative religious traditions and were navigating a spiritual life that filled their current needs. A few people had recent losses and others had no personal experience with death. We had long discussions on the dying process and what came after death. Fear was a common theme. People asked for insights on how to connect with family. There was some loneliness. We had long conversations on preparing for death. Some attendees wanted to connect with others, others wanted to be more comfortable with ...
Death Cafe - Kirby Muxloe Write up
Posted by Catrina Young on June 8, 2025, 7:16 a.m.
Absolutely thrilled that Kirby Muxloe’s first Death Cafe was well attended; there were approximately ten of us of various ages and genders. Everyone contributed to discussions which ranged from whether it was important to have a funeral to whether we’d like to record a farewell to be played after we die. Several people shared the importance they felt for holding conversations with loved ones about their funeral wishes or leaving written instructions. Judging by their comments it’s fair to say others enjoyed it too with several committing to attending future cafes.
The next Death Cafe will be held at The Royal Oak, Kirby Muxloe 24th ...
Orange County Death Cafe- May 21 2025 Write up
Posted by Anne Weston on May 29, 2025, 4:23 p.m.
Notes from Orange County Death Café, May 21, 2025
Facilitated by Sara Williams
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 6 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, moderator: James McKelvey. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 3rd Monday of the month, 9:30-11:00 a.m.: Daylight Death Café, Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, facilitated by John Chase. To register, contact ...
East Hawaii Death Cafe Write up
Posted by AGoodDeath007 on May 24, 2025, 5:14 p.m.
Wow. We had a wonderful turnout at our very first East Hawaii Death Cafe on May 6, 2025!
It was heartening to see so many people—new faces and familiar ones—gather with open hearts and curious minds. We shared stories, asked thoughtful questions, and held space for one another in the most gentle, authentic way.
There’s something profoundly human about sitting in a circle and talking openly about death: our fears, our hopes, the unfinished business, and the surprising gifts grief can bring. It was clear that when we break the silence around death, we also breathe life into our communities.
Mahalo to everyone who showed ...
Death Cafe Whangarei Write up
Posted by Jo Moselen on May 18, 2025, 6:20 p.m.
This death café was generously hosted in the Hundertwasser Art Centre, a new venue for us which worked very well. A participant commented on the round table arrangement being very good, an equaliser. There were thirteen participants including the two facilitators. The conversation was varied, including “getting your shit together’, the reluctance of parents to talk about their deaths, planning and wishes not being honoured and overridden by family, Body bequest, wills and dying intestate, advance directives, knowing what to do when someone dies, being aware of death making each day the best it can be.
Participant comments - 'rekaxed atmosphere and useful discussion, honesty of strangers.
We will ...
Notes from Orange County Death Café, January 15, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 5 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, facilitator TBD. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 3rd Monday of the month, 9:30-11:00 a.m.: Daylight Death Café, Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, facilitated by John Chase. To register contact the Seymour Center front desk, 919-968-2070. In ...
Notes from Orange County Death Café, February 6, 2025
Moderator: James McKelvey
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 5 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, facilitator TBD. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 3rd Monday of the month, 9:30-11:00 a.m.: Daylight Death Café, Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, facilitated by John Chase. To register contact the Seymour Center front ...
Notes from Orange County Death Café, March 6, 2025
Moderator: James McKelvey
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 7 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, facilitator James McKelvey. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 2nd Saturday of the month, 3-5 p.m.: Death Café Noir at the Stanford Warren Library, 1201 Fayetteville St., Durham, facilitated by Traci Hathaway ...
Notes from Orange County Death Café, March 19, 2025
Facilitated by Sara Williams
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 7 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, facilitator TBD. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 2nd Saturday of the month, 3:00-4:00 p.m., Death Café Noir, Stanford Warren Library (location may change), Durham, facilitated by Traci Hathaway. For ...
Notes from Orange County Death Café, April 3, 2025
Moderator: James McKelvey
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 6 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, facilitator James McKelvey. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 3rd Monday of the month, 9:30-11:00 a.m.: Daylight Death Café, Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, facilitated by John Chase. To register contact the ...
Notes from Orange County Death Café, April 16, 2025
Facilitated by Sara Williams
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There are now 6 Death Cafes in Durham and Orange counties:
• 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Orange County Death Café, Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, moderator: James McKelvey. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/
• 2nd Monday of the month, 5:45-7:45 p.m.: Hillsborough Death Café, 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by Neidra Clark. To register contact Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.
• 3rd Monday of the month, 9:30-11:00 a.m.: Daylight Death Café, Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, facilitated by John Chase. To register contact ...
The second Death Cafe on successive Saturday afternoons brought together nine people, each eager to share in the conversations.
A few around the table were repeat participants from our first Death Cafe. Within minutes of beginning, everyone seemed to be really at ease as the conversations opened.
In a post-event survey, these observations were shared.
1) "The group size was effective. I wondered how "no agenda" would work - but it went well allowing people to address their concerns."
2. It is self-direted by the people who attend. The conversations ae informative and enlightening at times. People are open and honest with their thought. I found Death Cafe to ...
Dulwich Death Cafe Write up
Posted by annkenrick on May 12, 2025, 11:08 a.m.
Around 27 strangers gathered in Bell House on a lovely summer evening and after an introduction the group split into three tables facillitated by me, Trevor Moore and Melanie Woollcombe.
We discussed the different grieving processes between a long drawn out death (and the ‘double bereavement’ when someone has dementia) and a sudden death. Which is harder to bear?
Is it a good idea to keep remembering someone by visiting a grave and looking at/holding things that belonged to them - or is it better to make a ‘clean break’ and move on?
How do we best encourage someone to talk about death, especially if they are seriously ...
Second Sunday Death Cafe Portland, OR Write up
Posted by nomenoyou1 on May 11, 2025, 10:19 p.m.
We had great conversations from a group of engaged participants. There was interest in sharing very personal stories about friends and family members and their contribution to the participants journey toward death. It was fascinating to learn how each person was influenced by their interpersonal experiences. Several people had professional experiences that also contributed to their growth. One participant commented on how vulnerable the group was willing to be and how that, in turn, encouraged more openness. We probed into some unexplored places and people were left with questions to further explore. It was satisfying to see so much contemplation. It warmed my heart to be a witness.
Death Cafe Hurunui Write up
Posted by Death Cafe North Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand on May 5, 2025, 4:27 a.m.
This was a small and special Death Café with 6 of us, four returning attendees, three men and three women. We seemed to get deep very quickly and spent about a third of our time telling some of our own personal story, this seemed like a lot of time in the moment, and as host, I decided to let it flow. It was an intimate and memorable Death Café with each of us learning about ourselves a little more. We explored grief and what is demanded of us as caregivers, discussed ‘the system’ and reflected on our own resilience.
Death Café dates for 2025:
Kaiapoi:
May 18th ...