Death Cafe write-ups
Death Cafe of Venice, Florida Write up
Posted by Pam Schierberg on March 21, 2015, 5:16 p.m.
Another great discussion today with those who have been attending for some time, along with those new to the concept and conversation. With every session we listen...we learn...we ponder, and for some we may even consider a change for our remaining time on earth.
Our conversations easily move from the pragmatic to the spiritual, and how our thoughts and feelings have changed over time. But the bottom line keeps coming back to the fact that only in a Death Cafe can one openly consider life and death in a safe and open environment.
Join the conversation on the third Saturday each month, 1:30 pm - 3 ...
Providence Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Cassandra Tribe on March 19, 2015, 9:57 p.m.
My goodness....another Death Cafe tonight and the subject ranged as usual - but we began much differently - instead of laughter yoga or my awful ice breakers - we had a proposal of marriage and acceptance. It set a kind of joyous tone as we explored infant death and the love & grief of parents, ideas about accepting imminent death only to be surprised with a change to imminent life, we await the word from our death row friend as he enters his final appeal and talked about the complications of death penalties, we also talked about the concept of the "death hormone" and whether or not our bodies are programmed ...
Death Cafe Low Country Write up
Posted by Jan Schreiber on March 19, 2015, 3:40 p.m.
At South Carolina's 2nd Cafe, I was interested in trying a new venue (restaurant vs. a yoga studio) and scheduled a weekday evening, instead of a weekend afternoon. Although I requested rsvp's-only half of the participants contacted me. As a result, there was a little confusion initialy in the table arrangement. Of the 9 attendees, 6 were " first-timers". Both male & female & 50-75 yrs of age. I personally felt the absence of a more varied age group.
Unfortunately, the venue was a little distracting with kitchen noise. Nevertheless, the group was quite animated, forthcoming & opinionated!. The sharing ranged from personal funeral wishes, processing loss, wills & probate, to ...
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on March 19, 2015, 7:14 a.m. 1 comment
Our March evening Café could welcome new members who inspired to a very lively discussion about death, meditation, Liverpool Care Pathway, staying with the dying or does the dying need to be left alone? A social worker among us has often been the only person for the dying as no relatives were to be found – such a privileged. One of us has listened to Youtube: “Gone from My Sight” where Barbara Karnes from Heartland Hospice in the US talks about discovering grief, loss, and the dying experience. So much to learn from this talk as Babara sits with the dying and has a unique way of talking with ...
Highcliffe Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Lis Horwich on March 19, 2015, 6:57 a.m.
On this nice spring afternoon we met with two new members of the café. Discussing many topics from making sure you are one of the 30% of the UK population who has a will specifying every aspect of your passing from funeral, possessions, home etc. to considering using a solicitor, who normally charges 10% or a probate company, who charges 4% to finalise your estate. Particularly if you have no living relatives it is essential you have your wishes expressed on paper. We also talked about gratitude for your life no matter how it might feel for you right now. Some of us believe that we choose our ...
Death Cafe Hong Kong Write up
Posted by Carmen Yau on March 17, 2015, 10:47 p.m.
It was a wonderful experience for everyone to join the "death cafe x Lost & Found" on 15 March 2015 in Hong Kong.
As usual, Death Cafe Hong Kong rely on facebook to invite participants to join. After the coverage from a local newspaper Mingpao, there were more participants to join. Therefore, we were lucky to have more diversity among our participants. Both elderly and young adults had great conversation. Participants using graphics and quotes to facilitate their sharings.
Providence Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Cassandra Tribe on March 16, 2015, 5:18 p.m.
in a little red room, still so fresh it smells, with kindergarten chairs just waiting for the afternoon crowd - 6 of us gathered in the middle of the day for the daytime Providence Death Cafe in Fox Point. We were laden with hospice workers, as well as a familiar face - and of course, our guest from death row. The topics ranged about perception of age and death, meaning and awareness - and weather it was a generational awareness - or just one that comes and goes. The stories about chidlren sent off to school to tell strange tales of their homelife - that shocked and appalled as no one knew they ...
Death Cafe Calgary Mar 15, 2015 Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Calgary on March 15, 2015, 6:14 p.m.
Calgary Death Café attendees came from as far away as Red Deer on March 15 and enjoyed the lovely venue: Sunterra Village Marché. Thirty people configured themselves into large groups of 5 or 6 per table. There was a lot of lively conversation and laughter over coffee, tea and a variety of delicious pastries and muffins. Participants arrived by motorcycle, C-train and car, but we're not sure how the goose got there (sorry the goose wouldn’t pose for a photo)! The majority of attendees were new to Death Café and shared that they enjoyed the experience. We look forward to hosting the next Death Café in ...
Blue Ridge Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Blue Ridge Death Cafe on March 15, 2015, 5:40 p.m.
Thirteen people met at the Old City Cemetery to luanch our first Blue Ridge Death Cafe.
Over Blueberry Pound Cake new and old friends engaged in conversation that was candid, open and life-giving.
Thanks to all who came today!
Death Cafe in Reno, Nevada Write up
Posted by Paula Schneider on March 10, 2015, 7:27 p.m.
Our death cafe had 22 in attendance and the evaluations they completed indicated they felt their time was well spent. The creation of advance directives continues to be an ongoing popular topic in our death cafes, and there are always interesting discussions around this important subject. For the second time, the local deaf community joined in the discussions with the help of two signing interpreters and the hosts felt their attendance enriched the death cafe considerably.
We had another interesting meeting. There were 7 of us that talked about what is happening in our society and the range of options that are now, or soon to be available for end of life. It is so interesting to see the difference in how the conversation developes according to who is attending. I love the dynamics of this group!!
Death Cafe of Columbia County Write up
Posted by Columbia County, NY on March 4, 2015, 2:24 p.m.
This DC write-up is by a lovely young woman who joined our DC last month at TSL. I am inspired by her kind words and shared enthusiasm on the topic of death and dying.
“The meeting was just wonderful and it is such a fantastic opportunity to have a secure place and an open forum where we can talk freely about death. It is something that I do in my personal life already but to attend an organized event with other members from my community was something else all together and so inspiring. Our discussion offered so much gratification… I am also glad to be meeting people around ...
Death Cafe of Columbia County Write up
Posted by Columbia County, NY on March 4, 2015, 2:22 p.m.
The first Death Cafe of Columbia County was a beautiful sharing of experience and perspectives.
Almost immediately it became quite clear that the venue was the perfect match for such a difficult topic of conversation. Those attending the event expressed how comfortable and safe they felt at TSL.
After a review of your comments, and the cooperation of TSL, we have scheduled the second Death Cafe to take place in the cafe space from 10am-12pm, which is PRIOR to the day of scheduled showings. There should be very few 'spectators' and the amount of people 'floating' around the space sholud be at a minimum.
We want to feel ...
Denver Death Cafe February 2015 Write up
Posted by Anita Larson on March 3, 2015, 4:19 p.m. 1 comment
Denver Death Café Summary
February 15, 2015
Thank you to Charlene Mason with Porter Place for hosting the February 2015 Denver Death Café. Although there were a few snow flurries, everyone felt warm and cozy in this inviting space. Anita Larson baked a homemade chocolate cake and Porter Place served hot tea and coffee.
The open conversations started with a question on how to best provide long distance support to a dying relative. One attendee mentioned that he faxed a cartoon to the hospital everyday. It was intended to give his loved one a laugh or chuckle for the day and it did just that. Additionally, the hospital ...
Flagstaff February Death Cafe Write up
Posted by aleia@furthershore.org on March 3, 2015, 2:59 p.m.
The cafe was attended by 35 diverse, but connected through our "enthusiasm for talking about death" patrons! Themes shared in round table discussions included: death with dignity, palliative care, caring for the dying who are without mental capacity (such as with Altzehiemer's). Some of the gratitudes expressed were for: community, humor, courage, acceptance of all ideas; willingness to be vulnerable and honest; safety. One comment: "My perspective on death has today, lead to my forging friendships with total strangers!"