Death Cafe

No.

Shudder.

They sound so false and contrived.

No way.

I did read about these cafes a few years ago, have they caught on?There are also cat cafes now, where lots of moggie are strolling about! unless you really have nobody to talk to about bereavement, I don't think I would fancy it much.

No.

No

Hmm! I would have to think about that. I don't know if these death cafes have any particular agenda, but I do think that we all should stop being so reserved about talking about death in general. It will surely come to us all eventually.

Agree nellie. In my view we don't manage death and dying well - yes, a generalisation and so of course there are exceptions. I would like to see death as acceptable in conversation as birth, if birth happens then death is inevitable at some point. Just as some find it difficult to talk about birth there will always be some who struggle to talk about death, but why not encourage the majority to talk openly?

I have no problem with talking about death (you die, you don't pass away)
I wouldn't want to go somewhere to specifically talk about it though. If it comes up in conversation with family or friends that's fine

Sounds a bundle of fun.....not! I don't mind talking about death, but don't want to wallow in it over my americano!

Something rather strange about popping into a cafe to talk about death and dying

I find this really weird.

Death is an inevitable part of life - I accept it happens but I don't need to go to a cafe to chat about it!

Yes. I think it's a good idea. I honestly don't understand why people seem to think that talking about death, being straightforward about it, is odd.

Weird idea. Sounds awkward, contrived. As I get older I feel less scared of the inevitable but don't want it to happen just yet. If I specifically wanted to talk with someone about death I'd probably go to Buddhists. (Other religions are available!)

thatbags I also believe in being straightforward in talking about death, however what I find odd is having a specific place to talk about it. Surely this should at some point be part of a normal conversation in a family? I have certainly discussed my own death with what little family I have, in a very matter of fact manner - it's going to happen one day. Remember enjoy life because no-one gets out alive!

Talking about death and being straightforward about it is one thing. Going to a cafe with death as the only item on the conversation agenda is something else entirely. I wouldn't want to visit any cafe that restricted conversation to one item, whether it is death, cucumbers, park benches or anything else.
I have no problem discussing death (or cucumbers or park benches), but I would definitely dislike having the conversation curtailed in such a manner.

Not everyone associates death with religion. Some, like me, associate it with life. Life is not possible without death so death is an important thing to talk about.

Lots of conversations seems contrived when they are first started. Nothing wrong with contriving an opportunity to talk about something, especially when it seems so taboo—witness the shudderings and use of words like weird, strange, awkward on this thread. Lots of topics of conversation are awkward. That's not an argument against having them.

I talk about death quite often, but I don't want to be limited to the subject while enjoying my coffee!
I'll talk about anything, no subject is taboo.

It wouldn,t be the only item on the agenda. When did a bunch of people ever stick to one topic in a cafe? Besides, people will have different ideas about what in their lives death is connected to.

The thread title Death Cafe put me in mind of a particularly toxic Little Chef on the A303 which nearly ruined Christmas for us. [green] nauseous emoticon.

Death is connected to end of life , what else ?

I went to a Death Cafe event a couple of months ago. I'd heard about them and was intrigued. It was fascinating and I would heartedly recommend it to anyone who is interested in discussing death and dying in whatever way they want. It really was like a small cafe with flowers, tea and excellent cake! I suspect the success was due to the person who opened the session and the individual faciliators at each table. I chose to sit at a table with a theme (I think it was simply 'dying' but there were other themes such as living wills or poetry) and it was a very relaxed and gentle couple of hours. There was no pressure to talk if you didn't want to or share anything unless you felt like it. It was not gruesome in the least but simply a sharing of views and a very pleasant atmosphere. Some people go to more than once and there is quite an age range. I plan to go again as I somehow felt it was such a worthwhile experience! I don't think we talk about dying and death nearly enough - maybe because it is not an 'everyday' experience' like it was in the past.