Death Cafe
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death.
Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.
A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.
Our Death Cafes are always offered:
- On a not for profit basis
- In an accessible, respectful and confidential space
- With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action
- Alongside refreshing drinks and nourishing food – and cake!
I completed my End-of-Life Doula training, and while taking it, I discovered Death Cafes. Death Cafes are discussions that are held worldwide about anything related to death. I will share a bit from the website www.deathcafe.com below on what a Death Cafe is.
What is Death Cafe?
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea (or coffee!) and discuss death. Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.
A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.
Our Death Cafes are always offered:
On a not for profit basis
In an accessible, respectful and confidential space
With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action
Alongside refreshing drinks and nourishing food - and cake!
I have created a monthly Death Cafe meetup for the Upstate area. You can go to www.meetup.com to join my group and sign up for any events. Note Please click on the meetup link I posted above. It will take you directly to my meetup page for Death Cafes. If you do not live in this area, go to the www.deathcafe.com and find one near your location.
Warm Regards,Morgan
The Beginning
The Beginning
Yesterday, I took the first steps to train as an End-of-Life Doula (EOLD). I registered for my training through Lifespan Doulas and also “interviewed” with the lead for hospice volunteers at a local hospice in my area. I go to get my TB test done this week and start my background process.
It is somewhat daunting, but at the same time, there is no time like the present. There will never be the “right moment” or a time where I will have more free time to be able to pursue what I want to do. That seems to be just life. But there is one thing that I know, if I want something bad enough, I do not give up. I keep going. I plan to complete my training, volunteer at hospice and start to get this part of my business’s modality off the ground and help serve those who are entering into that next chapter of their life. Notice that I do not say, “final chapter.” I do not believe it is their final chapter, just the next one.
If you’ve read why I am in training to be an EOLD, you would know that I was with my mother during her passing in July 2022. I still feel that being able to be with her at that moment, along with my sisters and my dad, was our final gift and send off to her as she begins her next chapter. Though it isn’t something we can see or experience with her at this time, it is still happening, and I know she is with me in spirit and would want me to continue this process so I can help those who are transitioning out of this life, and help support and guide their family members as well.