Death Cafe write-ups
Belleville, IL Death Cafe Write up
Posted by maggieboone on Oct. 5, 2015, 11:41 a.m.
Our 9/26 meeting was amazing! We unveiled our Before I Die wall that will be secured on the outside of the Miscellanea House Cafe. Over 11 participants signed the wall and we discussed the wall that will be unveiled at Southwestern Illinois College's Schmidt Art Center patio on 10/12 starting at 9am. We were pleased to see some diversity in signatures. We had signatures in English, Chinese, Hebrew, Italian, and Spanish. The wall will be attached to the side of the Miscellanea House Cafe on Monday, 10/5.
We continued discussion on prearrangements and the importance of starting the conversation. This also took us back ...
Our first public meeting of Brixton Death Café got off to a challenging start when wearrived to find that the space we had booked upstairs had been flooded by heavy rain. Not to be put off, however,we rapidly set up in a downstairs bar instead. By the time the attenders arrived each table had a plate of cakes and biscuits and an explanatory flyer. The flyer was an aide memoir, reiterating the purpose and rules of Death Café. It also invited each person to introduce themselves and say why they had come to the event: That topics would evolve organically from this.
There were sixteen of us ...
Montpelier Death Cafe Write up
Posted by MontpelierDeathCafe on Sept. 29, 2015, 1:54 p.m. 1 comment
In a small community one person's death resonates. And so, at our September meeting, many people came seeking to speak about Jean whose sudden death had had a profound impact on them.
Whether we knew Jean or not, the raw emotions raised when someone passes away could be felt in the room. We talked about grief. We talked about loss. We talked about how they were related, but not the same. We talked about the transformative power of death. And in our own ways, we talked about fear.
Some were blunt "I used to think I was one of those people who was philosophical about death, I ...
Third Death Cafe Footscray Write up
Posted by PetaMurray on Sept. 29, 2015, 2:08 a.m.
This was the third, and for now, the last in a series of Death Cafes run at Footscray Community Arts Centre. This one was connected to the exhibition, embOLDen, and run as one of a range of activities offered on a day dedicated to Creative Ageing.
The group numbered about 16, and was significant for being comprised of women only. There were three nurses, and one nun! The oldest attendee was in her nineties, and the youngest was in her fifties.
As ever, wonderful generosity of spirit from all at the table, not to mention candour and cake!
Derby Death Cafe Write up
Posted by timdowdell on Sept. 24, 2015, 5:33 a.m.
After some introductions the purpose of the group was outlined ie a very informal chat about all issues relating to death, dying and bereavement - with no particular agenda, just the sharing of experience.
The group included three guests from Coventry interested in setting up their own Café for patients and relatives at their hospital.
Three members of a Derby based community group also came along to discuss their recent experience of bereavement. The most important thing they felt was the need to talk about it. Including the difficulties with practical tasks ie opening jars, hanging a picture and mowing the lawn, the challenges involved in building a new ...
This was Staten Island's First Death Café, although others had discussed it before. Some sitting right at this table with us!
Attending a Death Café prior to hosting one (even a virtual Death Café) was a plus, and the Death Café guidelines were amazing and so very helpful. This Café was held at Panera Bread, which is pretty public and open. Initially there was some apprehension about this, but it wound up being beneficial and drawing more people in. Individuals were waiting to talk with us, and they are interested in attending future Cafés. A shout out to the staff at Panera Bread at the Staten ...
Comox Valley Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Dale Presly on Sept. 21, 2015, 9:16 a.m. 2 comments
The Comox Valley's 5th Death Cafe took place at Serious Coffee. Several of the ten enthusiastic mortals commented on the brightly painted Subaru parked by the front door belonging to the Salish Sea Hospice Project, co-sponsor of the event. Perhaps Jon Underwood will get his car painted with a Death Café theme.
Assisted death and green burial emerged as themes in several discussions. Can we choose the time of our dying without asking to be killed?
Special thanks to the helpful staff at Serious Coffee. The next Death Cafe is at the same location on October 18th. See you then.
Death Cafe Calgary Sep 20, 2015 Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Calgary on Sept. 20, 2015, 6:46 p.m.
The Calgary community participated in another thought-provoking Death Café on Sunday, September 20, 2015 (the day after the wonderful Equinox Vigil in Union Cemetery). Death Café has been thriving in Calgary for the last three years, and this was the first one held in a real café. We completely filled the Second Cup in Marda Loop! The staff offered terrific service ensuring everyone was taken care of and enjoying their delicious tea, coffee, and goodies. Some passersby were envious that we were at capacity and therefore they could not participate. We hope to see them next time! This Death Café welcomed both repeat and new attendees with ages ...
Death Cafe - Rockland South End Write up
Posted by gina colombatto on Sept. 19, 2015, 4:26 p.m.
two dozen area denizens showed up for the 2407th death cafe…
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on Sept. 17, 2015, 8:11 a.m.
Highcliffe Death Café hosted two meetings this week; one evening and one afternoon.
A couple of new faces were welcomed among an ever floating group. Among us was a writer and Astrophysics. He is a contributor in: Memento Mori (A Collection of Magickal and Mythological Perspectives On Death, Dying, Mortality and Beyond) is the new anthology edited by Kim Huggens, who previously produced VS. and FROM A DROP OF WATER for Avalonia.
He wrote the chapter: Star Lore and Death in Ancient Egypt. A very fascination account on his knowledge was enjoyed by all.
Time in the afternoon was taken up by discussing Robert Schwartz book: Your Soul ...
Valley Junction Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Carmen Elliott on Sept. 16, 2015, 1:33 p.m.
Last week, the Young Bereavement Professionals Groups hosted a GREAT Death Cafe in Valley Junction! We had 20 participants (including facilitators), and a wonderful discussion.
Topics ranged from the language we use around death (especially concerning children), to physician-assisted suicide. The topic that got the most time was on legal issues surrounding death: how to let our wishes be known, how to appoint someone to carry out our wishes, and money issues that need to be taken care of after death. It worked out beautifully that one of our participants is a banker, and was able to give some general advice on some of these issues as a ...
You are invited to be part of open dialogue on experiences, questions or other sharing about the topic of death. The dialogue aims at increasing our awareness about death with a view to making the most of our lives. People come together in a relaxed and safe setting to discuss their views and experiences on death and how that has created more possibilities in their lives. Cake and tea will be served. Facilitated by professionals who are experienced with helping people share real life experiences and consider their eventual death—Dr. Elaine Millam of Graceful Passages.
Donations are requested to pay for the expenses for space and food.
Belleville, IL Death Cafe Write up
Posted by maggieboone on Aug. 31, 2015, 10:09 a.m.
The August 15, 2015 Belleville Death Cafe was inspiring. Attendance was down a bit, but we still had 9 members show up including one of the new members from last meeting. The discussion opened with an update on the Before I Die walls - 2 walls are ready to be constructed. The one at Miscellaena House Cafe that we originally thought would be up by 8/15 had a slight funding snafu but we decided to scale down that wall so it can go up before the wall at Southwestern Illinois College. I believe the construction is waiting on the labor part since the materials have been purchased from ...
Another Death Cafe in the books! It is so liberating to talk so openly about death. It is the one thing we have in common and the input by everyone is so interesting! i can't wait to meet again!
Second Death Cafe Footscray Write up
Posted by PetaMurray on Aug. 29, 2015, 3:26 a.m.
This was an intimate gathering in the main gallery space of the Footscray Community Arts Centre. We were grateful for the contributions from all participants at the table. The passionfruit and banana cake seemed to go down a treat too.
There will be a third and final Death Cafe (in this series, anyway) on 26 September, in the same venue, at the same time.