Hi All,
Hope you are enjoying your summer.
This note is to let you know about something very
interesting going on in our area, something I am hoping you will attend.
It is called the Death Cafe. Sounds a
bit weird, I know, but please read on...
These Death Cafes are popping up all over the globe. At a Death Cafe, people come together in a relaxed and safe setting to discuss death, dying, end of life issues, drink tea and eat delicious cake. Check out this descriptive and informative write up in the June 13, 2013 New York Times describing what goes on at a Death Cafe. http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/death-be-not-decaffeinated-over-cup-groups-face-taboo/?_r=0 https://www.facebook.com/deathcafe.
Started in this country in 2011
by Jon Underwood,
based on the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, the objective of a Death Cafe is "To
increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of
their (finite) lives".. http://www.deathcafe.com/
The cafe is NOT a bereavement or
support group but rather a place to talk to others about issues surrounding
death.
It is free of charge, and this is
a personal invitation for you to attend.
I do hope you will RSVP, join us and learn more.
There is a limited number of seats.
"Death is more universal to us all than
life....
we will all die
however , not all of us LIVE."
Thursday, August 15, 2013 What a wonderful evening for our first Death Cafe! The Death Cafe- Millerton NY welcomed 20+ guests ranging in age from 31 to 83, with the majority being women. Guests choose from tables of 3-6 seats, filled out a name tag and signed in. This table activity gave guests a chance to meet and greet each other. There were carafes of water and bowls of pretzels on the tables. There was delicious cake, fruit, cupcakes and beverages to nourish the body and lots of positive energy in the room to nourish the spirit.
ReplyDeleteAt 7 pm Suzanne B. O'Brien, facilitator, welcomed everyone and gave a description of Death Cafes, how they got started and where they are today. She referenced several articles, one from the NY Times and one from the August 14, 2013 Time Magazine called "A Good Death: How Boomers Change the World a Final Time." She introduced herself, hostess Lynn Martorell and organizer, Joy Martorell and gave a brief overview of her background in end of life care, training, her book and newest project Positive Passing.
The first challenge of the evening was for each of us to write down 3 words that came to mind when Suzanne said the words Death or Dying. Once we had written down our words we were to think about how death has impacted our lives and make notes and discuss among our tables.
The conversation started quietly but within minutes the room was quite noisy. There was even some laughter. It was then time to share with the group (if you wanted to). Everyone was offered the opportunity. The room was filled with so many interesting people, their amazing stories and paths all different, yet all pertinent and important. There was clapping and cheering for some, encouragement for others and compassion for all.
With a few minutes left to the evening Suzanne was winding things down and Lynn asked that everyone please fill out the Death Cafe evaluation to help us continue to improve and make this the best experience it can be.
The evaluations rated the evening as "Excellent" with everyone "feeling comfortable" and interested in hearing other people's perspective, learning about new resources, getting new ideas of their own and reaffirming current thoughts, ideas.
Several suggestions were made about the physical set up....smaller tables, lighting. Requests for more death cafe dates, a book list, guest exchange of contact info, and speakers on specific topics.
Our next Death Cafe will be Thursday, September 19, 2013