Death (and Life) Cafe: an opportunity to discuss our inevitable mortality
Free event
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death.
The 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 counseling session.
Death Cafes are offered:
- On a not for profit basis
- In a 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 – your own in this case!
If you find this event of value and desire to support future gatherings there will be opportunity make a donation.
A springboard for discussion: ‘I See Dead People: Dreams and Visions of the Dying’
At this Springboard for Discussion, we will view a TEDx talk from 2015 that is still pertinent today. This talk is about the results from one of the first formal studies about what many dying people experience and that their families sometime witness as death nears. This and other similar explorations have revealed that these dreams and visions usually bring comfort to the one dying.
“Dr. Christopher Kerr speaks at a 2015 TEDx event Buffalo, New York.”
“Dr. Christopher W. Kerr is the Chief Medical Officer at The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, where he has worked since 1999. His background in research has evolved from bench science towards the human experience of illness as witnessed from the bedside, specifically patients’ dreams and visions at the end of life. Although medically ignored, these near universal experiences often provide comfort and meaning as well as insight into the life led and the death anticipated.”
“This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx “
Here is information related to the next three events:
What is the When You Die Documentary Trilogy ?
The When You Die trilogy seeks to foster good conversations around death by de-mystifying the dying process by reducing our fear of death through knowledge. With insight and humor, these topics are explored with leading clinicians who have spent their careers at the bedside, researchers studying the nature of consciousness, and personal stories of love and loss.Discussing what happens when we die with curiosity and compassion allows.
Bio for Director / Producer – Johanna J. Lunn
Award-winning producer, director, and writer Johanna Lunn has contributed to many compelling, entertaining, and profoundly thought provoking programs during her 30+ years in the business. In addition to film festival awards, her work has received eight Canadian Screen Award nominations and won three. She has also produced or directed films for the National Film Board of Canada, CTV, IFC Canada, and The W Network. Her work has been shown around the world. Johanna is the co-founder of the When You Die Project, which includes a resource rich website, podcasts, and a documentary trilogy. She resides with her husband Steve on the North Atlantic coast near Halifax, Nova Scotia.
50% of all donations go to support WhenYouDie.org
This film in the “When You Die’ film trilogy brings viewers on a journey to discover if consciousness continues after death by exploring personal stories of near-death experiences, deathbed visions, scientific insights, and more.
Interviews with leading clinicians and researchers who have spent their careers studying these experiences and the nature of consciousness are shared. Their stories are revealed with humor and compassion.
Group discussion will follow this one hour documentary
.
Date and Time: Monday, April 14⋅1:15 pm
Location:Scottville Area Senior Center, 140 S Main St, Scottville, MI 49454
Cost: Donation
A film in the ‘When You Die’ trilogy
How can we talk about death? What is a good death? Does the body need help to die? What quality of life is enough for us? Where do we want to die? What is a conscious death? Could we have one?
Through stories from professionals who have spent their careers at the bedside, Saying Goodbye opens the door to good conversations about what is possible as we pass from this life, and what that may look life for us and our loved ones.
Group discussion will follow this one hour documentary
.
Date and Time:April 21, 2025 1:30 pm
Location: Scottville Area Senior Center, 140 S Main St, Scottville, MI 49454
Cost: Donation
A film in the ‘When You Die’ trilogy
What happens as we are dying? What could the final months, weeks, and days of life look like for the person who is dying? And the people who love them?
Architecture of Death explores the physical aspect of dying, as well as the unseen felt experiences that can occur, such as: the changing roles within a family, the potential to heal old wounds, deathbed visions or dreams, messages to loved ones from the dying or recently passed, and a host of other phenomena.
Group discussion will follow this one hour documentary
.
Date and Time: April 28, 2025, 1:15 PM
Location: Scottville Area Senior Center, 140 S Main St, Scottville, MI 49454
Cost: Donation
Free 30 Min. Discovery Call
Satisfy some curiosity by talking with Marie about end-of-life planning and education offerings.