Death Cafe write-ups
Our 2nd cafe was held in a more private location, where conversation could be maximized and distractions limited. We had 14 participants and the feedback was quite positive and overwhelmingly requesting to hold DC monthly...which will be happening going forward in 2016.
Thank you to all that have provided positive feedback and constructive suggestions.
Death Cafe Cambridge Write up
Posted by Cambridge Doulas on Nov. 27, 2015, 11:49 a.m. 1 comment
I'm really delighted to be bringing Death Cafe to Cambridge. I was blown away by the level of interest and had to close the event on Facebook a couple of weeks before it happened. There were around thirty people there - a really lovely group of people with a good mix of ages. We had the founder of Death Cafes in Norway and some people who'd driven all the way from Lincoln. There some really interesting discussions and people are very keen for more so have planned another one in early January. I'm looking forward to it.
Belleville, IL Death Cafe Write up
Posted by maggieboone on Nov. 27, 2015, 10:47 a.m. 1 comment
The Belleville, IL Death Cafe met on Nov 21st from 6pm and ran quite late until 10pm (normally we are done at 8pm but the meeting lasted longer than normal - expected at this time of the year as the holidays bring painful memories back to those of us who have lost loved ones). We had the privilege of having Gateway of Shadows paranormal investigators join our meeting and we once again discussed the age old question of "is there life after death" and if there is, is our loved ones safe, healthy, and at peace.
Evidence of some of their investigations were shown and for some of us ...
Montpelier Death Cafe Write up
Posted by MontpelierDeathCafe on Nov. 24, 2015, 1:28 p.m. 1 comment
November 2015 Montpelier Death Cafe
After Meeting Thoughts
"It's a big deal to die"
There was something different about this month's meeting of the Montpelier Death Cafe on Thursday the 19th. The specter of the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and Nigeria was certainly heavy and some spoke openly about their reactions to death on that scale in such tragic circumstances. But, whatever the reason, this month the group spoke more openly about their personal fears -especially with regards to their personal deaths- confronting not just mortality in general, but the absolute finality of their own lives and how that made them feel. In beautiful counterpoint ...
Death Cafe in Didsbury, Manchester Write up
Posted by homecafe_M20 on Nov. 24, 2015, 4:47 a.m.
Death Cafe at Home was a really positive evening.
Thought-provoking, gentle and even uplifting, it was very special to be part of a group of people who were all there to talk about difficult and hard stuff - it opened up the way for conversations and questions that are too often left unspoken, and felt like a really authentic and genuine experience of relationship and connection.
Death Cafe Grants Pass Write up
Posted by grantspass on Nov. 21, 2015, 7:23 p.m.
16 people gathered this week to talk about death in a supportive and festive atmosphere. There were linen tablecloths and napkins on the tables and the refreshments were served on fine china. The refreshment table featured munchies from fresh veggies to sweets, including a home baked gluten-free pumpkin pie that one participant described as "to die for."
And then we talked about death. Again the room was filled with chatter and laughter. Comments on our evaluation form included, "Thoughtful, genuine people" and "It was wonderful to have others talk about these deep topics - Beautiful."
Please come join us next time!
Death Cafe Des Moines Write up
Posted by Carmen Elliott on Nov. 18, 2015, 4:06 p.m.
Last night, one of our members told me that she had declined going out with friends that evening, because she was tired and it was icky out. When she got home, her husband told her that it was Death Cafe night, and she was immediately energized! What a great testament to the conversation our group members provide at Death Cafe!
This was the third Death Cafe hosted by the Young Bereavement Professionals Group, and in that short time we have developed a small group of regulars who join us each month. Last night, one of these "regulars" brought a cake that she had made for Death Cafe, and ...
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on Nov. 18, 2015, 1:07 p.m.
Two resent cafes have been hosted with four members in the evening and 11 this afternoon. Always interesting talks take place. In the smaller group we heard some personal experiences of death from relatives and how that might be handled adding information of the 4 stages of death, which suddenly made the thought of death very real.
We were a mix of people this afternoon with different interests from GP’s, Cruise volunteer, a Buddhist to some, who felt death of a loved one was hard to live with in our society, where we find it so difficult subject to approach. The misunderstand and often lack of information ...
Death Cafe Warkworth Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Warkworth on Nov. 17, 2015, 2:33 p.m.
This Death Cafe was held it at a local retirement centre, Summerset Village, the first time we have done this and so we were not sure what the response would be. The manager of the facility was dead keen (pun intended) and supported the event by placing posters around the walls and advertising in their newsletter. We adhered to the Death Cafe rule of no agenda, but did have one of the facillitators with social work background in case the discussion involved issues around getting affairs in order which proved to be a great move.
Invitations went out to the wider community but attracted mostly people living in ...
Bucks County Death Cafe Write up
Posted by buryingyourown on Nov. 13, 2015, 8:50 a.m.
Twenty folks showed up the other nite at the public library to hang and out talk like you do at book club, but this time there was no book.They said they wanted to talk about death with their adult children but their adult children shut them down. They said their loved one's suffered from fear and lack of information as they lay dying and these folks want something different for themselves; they said they want only to have reality acknowledged and the freedom to freely discuss what's in their hearts. They wanted to talk about NOT suffering; about the likelyhood of an afterlife; about ...
Death Cafe Orlando Write up
Posted by Sarah Elizabeth Walter on Nov. 11, 2015, 9:18 a.m.
Orlando Florida’s third Death Cafe was held on the on Saturday November 7th, a balmy mid-autumn afternoon. At 15 people in attendance, this was our largest gathering to date - and yet all were very comfortably and cozily arranged in the welcoming living area of our gracious host’s home. Topics ranged from taking care and preparing your deceased loved ones at home (ala Undertaking LA), to preservation of beloved pets who have passed on, to preparing and preserving our own identities after we’ve died and we no longer have control over such things. In addition to the pieces of themselves that everyone shared, all attendees brought ...
Bucks County Death Cafe Write up
Posted by buryingyourown on Nov. 11, 2015, 6:02 a.m.
Twenty happy folks (19 guests, 1 facilitator/host) met in our local library, introduced oursleves as we went around the circle and dove into anything but small talk! After intros we broke into two groups of 10 and had at it for a good 1.5 hours. It wasn't until the library staff began lingering around the door that we realized we'd gone over our alotted time, eagerly taking and giving ideas, memories, and observations. At the conclusion, I found a majority of the group is inteterested in going forth with more DC's AND with a few topic-lead gatherings (for which I'll have to ...
Des Moines Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Carmen Elliott on Nov. 10, 2015, 1:21 p.m.
We had another GREAT Death Cafe last month! It was a cold, rainy night, which contributed to this being our smallest Death Cafe yet, with 3 facilitators and 8 particpants. However, I would venture to say that the small numbers provided even better conversation, because we all had a chance to speak at length, if we wanted to.
As we've seen before, the conversation developed a few "themes" as people shared their stories and ask questions. Tonight's conversation revolved around the body: what happens after we die (physically), how we prepare bodies, and how we dispose of bodies.
Our conversation was kicked off by a member ...
The first time hosting Death Cafe went smoothly. It was scheduled from 3-5pm. We had some social free time at the beginning. We stayed on time though feedback included that someone wanted more time in the conversation about death. Duly noted.
Attendees ranged in age from 18 to 75. Cake and other goodies were served with tea, coffee and of course plenty of water in Arizona. The "comfortable" rating averaged "4.5" on the 1-5 scale. The "overall experience"rating averaged "3.7" on the 1-4 scale.
Words from the "big take away" include;
Rich, Deep, Wisdom has no age, Transparency, Practical, Changes, Arduous, Relevant.
Looking forward to ...
Death Cafe, Winchester, VA Write up
Posted by Mary Jane Lee on Nov. 2, 2015, 7:45 p.m. 2 comments
Seven people drank Mexican hot chocolate and ate pan de muerto to celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the Death Cafe on November 1, 2015. We remembered those who have died with special reverence, and wondered how the Aztecs who originated the idea celebrated this ritual 3000 years ago.
We also spoke of the fears we face in life be it accidents that take our lives quickly or staring down a bear who threatens us, and wondered if those are metaphors for death bearing down on us.
We hoped that the practices that we have done to cultivate lovingkindness, compassion, and equanimity in our lives have prepared us ...