Death Cafe
Honest Conversations About Life and Death
The Death Café concept began in 2011, inspired by sociologist Bernard Crettaz’s work encouraging open discussions about death.
Jon Underwood and his mother, Sue Barsky Reid, hosted the first Death Café in East London. Since then, it has spread globally, with over 19,000 cafes held in 93 countries.
The model fosters agenda-free conversations in welcoming spaces, allowing people to reflect on life and death.
At each gathering, participants enjoy cake, coffee, or tea, in a respectful, confidential environment. Conversations are open and without any specific direction or conclusion, allowing individuals to share freely while connecting over food and drink.
Our Death Café is always offered on a non-profit basis, but donations are always welcome to help sustain this meaningful initiative.
Reservations are limited to 8 people. Please reserve your spot early!
How it Woks
Fostering Understanding and Reflection
At Death Café, we create a welcoming and open environment where participants can engage in meaningful conversations about death. Here’s how it works:
Gathering: Participants come together in a respectful and confidential space, where everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings about death. There are no prerequisites for participation; whether you wish to speak or simply listen, you are welcome.
Format: Each gathering is informal and follows a not-for-profit model. Attendees enjoy cake, coffee, or tea as they discuss various aspects of death. Conversations are agenda-free and without expectations, allowing for organic dialogue to unfold.
Support: While we do not provide grief support or advice, we can direct participants to additional resources if needed. Our focus is solely on fostering open discussions, not leading participants to specific conclusions or actions.
Confidentiality: To ensure a safe environment, everything shared during a Death Cafe is treated as confidential. Participants can express their views and experiences without fear of judgment or disclosure.
Inclusivity: There is no strict age restriction; however, we prefer participants to be 18 or older, while mature teenagers are also welcome to join the conversation.
By participating in a Death Café, you contribute to a growing movement that encourages individuals to reflect on death and, in turn, embrace life more fully.
How it Woks
Fostering Understanding and Reflection
At Death Café, we create a welcoming and open environment where participants can engage in meaningful conversations about death. Here’s how it works:
Gathering: Participants come together in a respectful and confidential space, where everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings about death. There are no prerequisites for participation; whether you wish to speak or simply listen, you are welcome.
Format: Each gathering is informal and follows a not-for-profit model. Attendees enjoy cake, coffee, or tea as they discuss various aspects of death. Conversations are agenda-free and without expectations, allowing for organic dialogue to unfold.
Support: While we do not provide grief support or advice, we can direct participants to additional resources if needed. Our focus is solely on fostering open discussions, not leading participants to specific conclusions or actions.
Confidentiality: To ensure a safe environment, everything shared during a Death Cafe is treated as confidential. Participants can express their views and experiences without fear of judgment or disclosure.
Inclusivity: There is no strict age restriction; however, we prefer participants to be 18 or older, while mature teenagers are also welcome to join the conversation.
By participating in a Death Café, you contribute to a growing movement that encourages individuals to reflect on death and, in turn, embrace life more fully.
Questions & Answers
Is Death Cafe a grief support resource?
No, Death Café is not a bereavement support or grief counseling setting. While we provide a safe space for discussing death, we do not offer grief support.
Can you provide advice on dealing with grief?
We do not give advice. However, we can point to resources for those seeking support.
What is the purpose of a Death Cafe?
The primary purpose is to create an open and respectful environment for participants to express their views on death without leading them to any conclusions or actions.
Is there a cost to attend a Death Cafe?
Death Café is offered on a not-for-profit basis. Donations are welcome to help sustain the initiative.
Can I attend if I’m not comfortable discussing death?
Yes, you are welcome to come and listen to what others have to say. You do not need to speak if you don’t want to; participation is entirely up to you.
Is there an age restriction for attending?
There is no strict age restriction, but we prefer participants to be 18 or older. Mature teenagers are also welcome to join
Are alcoholic beverages allowed?
No. Alcoholic beverages or the consumption of any other substances are not permitted at Death Café. We prioritize creating a comfortable environment for our discussions, ensuring that everyone is in the right frame of mind. For this reason, we may need to ask anyone who appears intoxicated to refrain from participating.
Will there be guest speakers or informational materials?
We discourage guest speakers and the distribution of informational materials. The focus is on creating a space for discussion without expectations or pressure.
Is everything said in a Death Cafe confidential?
Yes, everything shared during a Death Café is confidential, ensuring a safe environment for all participants.