Death Café Halifax
Come together in a safe and informal setting for conversations on a wide range of topics about death, dying and end-of-life.
What is Death Café?
Death Café is a safe space for conversation about topics of interest to participants about death, dying and end-of-life issues.
Some topics that may arise:
- What happens after death?
- How do I help my parents prepare for end of life?
- How do I even bring up the topic?
- What about talking to children about a death?
- What about loss of a pet?
- What about natural burial?
- What are near death experiences?
- And so much more!
There can be laughter! And there can be tears. Conversations about destigmatizing death and exploring feelings about end-of-life issues can be both emotional and inspirational.
Everyone is welcome – participation is free and open to curious people of all ages, all backgrounds with different motivations, experiences, and interests. Each conversation has a host who supports open dialogue – with no set agenda or objective – but maybe with some really stimulating questions!
A few simple ground rules support confidential conversation and ensure respectful sharing of diverse views and beliefs.
By Susanmacleod.ca. Graphic recorder, author of the award-nominated book, “Dying for Attention: A Graphic Memoir of Nursing Home Care”, Conundrum Press, 2021. Click to enlarge.
Stay Informed
Join our mailing list to receive notices about upcoming Death Café meetings, as well as meeting notes, helpful information about death, dying, and end-of-life issues.
What Death Café is NOT
- Not a grief support group or a self-help group
- Not counselling or group therapy
- Not a lecture or workshop
- Not intended to lead participants to a particular view or course of action
- Not a place for marketing of particular services or products
How did Death Cafés start?
Death Cafés are part of an international social movement that began with Swiss sociologist Dr. Bernard Crettaz, who organized the first café in 2004. The idea took off after the late Jon Underwood hosted a café at his home in England in 2011. The movement has since grown to dozens of countries around the world with community members gathering in a relaxed atmosphere, enjoying tea or coffee and snacks, and sharing engaging, thought provoking and life affirming conversation in parks, hospices, libraries, coffee shops, homes and online – visit deathcafe.com for more information.
Upcoming Death Café Meetings
We host both in person and online events. Please visit our Facebook page for upcoming dates, and sign up for our mailing list to stay informed.
Resources
The following are a collection of resources, suggested by participants, to aid in the journey of navigating death, dying and end-of-life issues.
Books & Articles
Let's Talk about Death (over Dinner): An Invitation and Guide to Life's Most Important Conversation
by Michael Hebb
Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant
by Roz Chast
At Heaven's Door: What Shared Journeys to the Afterlife Teach About Dying Well and Living Better
by William Peters
Death Interrupted: How Modern Medicine Is Complicating the Way We Die
by Blair Bigham MD
Active Hope
by Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone
A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last
by Stephen Levine
In Praise of Retreat: Finding Sanctuary in the Modern World
by Kirsteen MacLeod
Aggressively Happy: A Realist's Guide to Believing in the Goodness of Life
by Joy Clarkson
Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis
by Britt Wray
Dying for Attention
Susan MacLeod
Needs of the Dying
by David Kessler
Tibetan Book of the Dead
by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche & Francesca Fremantle
Being with Dying
by Joan Halifax
One Year to Live
by Stephen Levine
TEN THOUSAND JOYS & TEN THOUSAND SORROWS
by Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle
Being Mortal
by Atul Gawande
With the End in Mind: Dying, Death, and Wisdom in an Age of Denial
by Kathrin Mannix
Movies & Videos
IN THE REALM OF DEATH & DREAMING
The 'When You Die' Trilogy
THE WESTERN MIND AND DENIAL OF DEATH
Stephen Jenkinson
Dying Well is the Best Gift you can Give your Children
Stephen Jenkinson
Websites & Other Resources
THE WAITING ROOM
Podcast
DYING WITH DIGNITY WEBSITE
Dying With Dignity Canada
M.A.I.D. – Medical Assistance in Dying
Government of Canada
The Art of Silence: How Marcel Marceau touched hearts and saved lives without words
CBC Writers and Company
Host a Death Café
We would be happy to host a pop-up in-person Death Café in Nova Scotia.
To inquire, please email us.
Losing someone you love is never easy. Epilog is here to help guide you and your family through this difficult time.