Café Death: A Safe Place to Talk About the Inevitable — Norup Care

Death Cafés are run by volunteers and are free of charge!

Register for our Online Death Café or search for one near you Deathcafe.com.

When I first heard the words “Death Café” all kinds of images came to mind and my curiosity was definitely piqued. Was this a death themed coffee shop? The name of a funeral home? A new word for Hospice? I had no idea. So like we so often do these days, I Googled it and I found myself on a deep dive into the world of normalizing talking about death.

On my journey of exploration, I was reminded of the quote by Neal Shusterman, “Death must exist for life to have meaning.” The message being that we must not hide from death or we risk losing what it means to be alive.

“Death must exist for life to have meaning”

— Neal Shusterman

Death Café: The Concept

A Death Café is a meeting place for people to discuss death and dying over tea, coffee, and cake.

Dr. Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist, held the first death cafe “cafe mortel” in Switzerland in 2004. The Death Café model used today was initiated in 2011 by Jon Underwood in the UK and is based on Crettaz’s original concept of the Cafe Mortels.

These gatherings are not a support group, therapy session, or a place to receive advice. Instead, they are a relaxed and informal space for people to talk about death in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. They provide a unique opportunity for people to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to death.

About Death Café by Founder Jon Underwood

The Purpose of a Death Café

Death Cafes offer a safe space for people from diverse backgrounds with different beliefs and attitudes toward death to find common ground in the shared experience of being human.

The discussions at a Death Cafe can be both thought-provoking and emotional, but they are also respectful and confidential. You are encouraged to share your stories and experiences, but you are not forced to do so. The aim is to create a safe space for everyone to explore their feelings and thoughts about death without fear of judgment.

Death is a natural part of life that affects us all, yet it is often a taboo subject. You may find yourself avoiding talking about it, but it is a conversation worth having.

Benefits of participating in a Death Café

Reducing Fear and Anxiety

Talking about death can help people confront and work through their fears and anxieties about mortality. By having open and honest conversations about death, people can gain a better understanding of what to expect and how to prepare.

Normalizing Death

When we talk openly about death, it becomes a more normal and less taboo topic. This can help reduce the stigma surrounding death and end-of-life issues, making it easier for people to seek support and resources when needed.

Clarifying Values

Conversations about death can help individuals clarify their values and priorities in life. By thinking about what matters most to them, people can make more informed decisions about how they want to live and die.

Building Community

Death can be a lonely and isolating experience, but talking about it can help build connections between people. By sharing stories and experiences, people can find common ground and support one another through difficult times.

Making End-of-Life Decisions

Discussing death can help individuals and families make important end-of-life decisions, such as whether to pursue life-sustaining treatment or opt for hospice care. By having these conversations early on, people can ensure that their wishes are respected and that their loved ones are prepared.

Providing Comfort

Talking about death can be a source of comfort for individuals who are grieving. By sharing memories and stories of loved ones who have passed, people can find solace in knowing that they are not alone in their grief.