For those not familiar
with Death Café,
I highly recommend their website. You’ll not only learn the history, but read
fascinating accounts of what people are doing in Death Cafés in the UK, Canada,
Italy, Australia and all around the US. No two are the same, but all have the
same goal: to provide a safe, supportive environment for people to discuss
issues surrounding death and dying, with a goal to making the most of their
finite lives.
After our last event – which was filled up two weeks
in advance – my partner and I sat down for a series of discussions. Obviously
the need is there. The evaluations were glowing and some offered suggestions
for improvement (which we’re implementing). But was there more we could offer?
Were people looking for more specific kinds of discussions related to death and
dying?
What we came up with was a series of events to
meet different needs and interests:
Death
Café: This is our introduction to death and dying
issues, for people who have never attended a Death Café. We have group
discussions, individual activities, as well as with a partner. As much as we
can, we allow the attendees to drive the discussion topics, always with a goal
of allowing people to consider their legacy. On October 28, we’ll be back at Curt’s
Café
in Evanston, Illinois.
"Friend Grief": This is a themed event for those who have
attended a Death Café and asked for more! Our first one will be led by me at Drake &
Sons Funeral Home in Chicago on October 23 and will address friend
grief. Other topics are in the pipeline.
Field trips: Now at first glance, you might think
our events would be limited to locations such as cemeteries or funeral homes, and
that’s possible (though our first themed event will take place in a funeral home). But
they’re meant to be gatherings that are more casual than sitting around a table
in a room. Our first one, on October 14, is a kayaking
excursion at Skokie Lagoons in Glencoe, Illinois.
Ultimately, our goal is
to eliminate the resistance to attending a Death Café - or any event where the discussion is revolves around death and making the most of your life. Don’t want to set foot
in a funeral home? Then come to a coffeehouse. Don’t want to discuss living
wills? Then come to a Death Café where we’ll talk about lots of things.
So if you’re in the Chicago area, join us! If not,
check the Death Café website for a list of upcoming events in your area. You
can also find out how to host your own Death Café. It’s easy. It’s fascinating.
It’s even fun.
And you’ll be surprised how much you learn about
yourself in a very short time.
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