Podcasts about death cafes

Death Cafes are now popping up all over the world. Seán's guest went along and found it a transformative experience, but what exactly are they?Elizabeth McCafferty, Journalist and Broadcaster, joins to discuss.

Death Cafes are now popping up all over the world. Seán's guest went along and found it a transformative experience, but what exactly are they?Elizabeth McCafferty, Journalist and Broadcaster, joins to discuss.

It's Mamabear, Mandela and the Migration Maestro Gilda Pereira of Ei! on this morning's show bringing care and compassion into the process of moving and migrating to Portugal...Em 'Mamabear' McGowan joins us at 9am for the monthly 'Departure Lounge', where we talk openly about life, death and dying in Portugal - and with this in mind, a recap of how Share and Care, Portugal - https://www.facebook.com/groups/725170581516791 supports people in need in the most challenging times of life and death.You can find Em on Facebook and via carl@goodmorningportugal.com Death Cafes in Portugal - https://deathcafe.com/c/PortugalFrom 9.30, Gilda 'Queen of The Visas' returns once again to the GMP! screen (-: Find her here - https://expatsportugal.com/business-directory/ei-assessoria-migratoria/Join the Portugal Club for direct access to Carl Munson and the Good Morning Portugal! professional and social network - www.theportugalclub.comWant to create live shows like mine? Try https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4668289695875072Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.

Should young people be talking about - and planning for - their deaths? Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. In this episode of The Usual Place, three millennials under 35 get candid about mortality and what changed their perspectives on death.Ho Hui Sze, 30, a counselling psychologist and host of Being With Grief podcast, G. Kethlyn Gayatiri, 32, a freelance educator, and Muhammad Alif, 28, a financial advisor and content creator, are no strangers to talking about death. They feature on Let's Talk About Death - a five-episode docuseries by The Straits Times, which premiered on Oct 23, 2024. From choosing a casket to protecting their passwords for their online accounts, each of them explores different aspects of end-of-life planning and dying well.Kethlyn is filmed in Episode 2 with her mother, Irene Koh, while Alif appears with his wife Liyana (@financewithliyandlif), in Episode 4. As for Hui Sze(@beingwith.grief), she chooses to memorialise her own bedroom in Episode 5. Natasha wants to find out how discussing death can be liberating, the misconceptions that often come up when planning for death, and how thinking about dying has made them live life differently. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:36 What made these millennials change their perspective of death?6:16 Hui Sze talks about the pain of death and the gifts of grief17:19 What if I die first? Kethlyn recounts talking to her mother 23:12 Alif gets emotional when creating his will - his “last love letter”31:25 A ‘Dabao Kit' and and Death Cafes to talk about death39:32 How has talking about death made them live life differently?Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8WavHost: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXmFollow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by ST Podcast producers: Eden Soh & Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 17 2024   The Witch Daily Show (https://www.witchdailyshow.com) is talking Theme   Our sponsor today Is The Enchanted Forest Felines Tarot (https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Forest-Felines-Tarot-Sankey/dp/0738774243/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uRgdFlGHk4xA_gd4iLbQV5iVNzD_eXZ5AMS34iBOEMbT8wtvyDrEHawceFXq4I1yWpZAsxEhWJkrx9wbbf104FgaoIpZHBLPqVwnJzIGWP8.KKWQul4MnmgLQPxsXRX78H382IAOmiA7UYhRZEs6Wd4&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Enchanted+Forest+Felines+Tarot&qid=1727525399&sr=8-1) and   (   Want to buy me a cup of coffee? Venmo: TonyaWitch - Last 4: 9226   Our quote of the day Is: "The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." ― Eden Phillpots   Headlines: https://ewtn.co.uk/chpop-former-wiccan-becomes-catholic-after-powerful-experience-at-mass-i-am-home/ ()   Deck: The Halloween Forever Oracle (https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Forever-Oracle-Jasmine-Becket-Griffith/dp/0738780251)   Other Sources: () Thank you so much for joining me this morning, if you have any witch tips, questions, witch fails, or you know of news I missed, visit https://www.witchdailyshow.com or email me at thewitchdailypodcast@gmail.com If you want to support The Witch Daily Show please visit our patreon page https://www.patreon.com/witchdailyshow   Mailing Address (must be addressed as shown below) Tonya Brown 3436 Magazine St #460 New Orleans, LA 70115

We're back for another season of Atypical Talk! In this episode, we're talking about death cafes – what they are the benefit people get from going to them. We also talk about a CEO who saw a need his employees had and worked hard to help solve it. And finally we talk about why we get so defensive when people criticize the politician or party we vote for. Lots of great conversations ahead! Modern death cafes are very much alive in L.A. Inside the radical movement https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-06-12/death-cafes-los-angeles-grieving-discussion-group This boss vowed to help his workers with child care. It hasn't been easy https://www.npr.org/2024/09/04/nx-s1-5049979/child-care-wisconsin-ceo-working-parents Why Do People Get So Mad When Their Political Party Is Criticized? https://relevantmagazine.com/current/why-do-people-get-so-mad-when-their-political-party-is-criticized/

What if you knew the exact moment you were going to die; would that knowledge change the way you live today?Meet Mark Dowie, Author of "Judith Letting Go," a book that tells the story of the beautiful friendship between him and Judith Tannenbaum, a poet who, after being diagnosed with an incurable disease that caused her a lot of pain, decided to transition on her own terms.In this episode, Mark shares details of his intimate experience with Judith and the deeply transformative experience of knowing when and where she would die. Mark is an Investigative Historian, a Journalist, one of the Founding Members of the Mesa Refuge board, a former publisher and editor of Mother Jones magazine, and the former editor-at-large of InterNation.Throughout this episode, you'll also hear about the revolutionizing concept of Death Cafe, where people gather to enjoy coffee, eat cake, and discuss death. Mark also shares his thoughts on the importance of confronting mortality as a way to enrich life, explore end-of-life options, and use those skills to provide comfort and reduce the fear of the inevitable.Tune in and listen to episode 260 of Grief and Happiness, and discover how one man's profound friendship with a terminally ill poet transformed his understanding of life and death.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Mark, Judith, and the world's smallest Death Cafe (4:10)How Death Cafes can expand people's perception of transitioning (6:40)How did Mark and Judith's friendship start (7:50)About different approaches to end-of-life celebrations (11:00)Why Judith's death wasn't suicide (14:40)Death can teach us more about life than life itself (21:40)Connect with Mark Dowie:Book: Mark Dowie - Judith Letting Go: Six Months in the World's Smallest Death CafeGet Mark Dowie's booksLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perhaps you've heard of Death Cafes or Death over Dinner… what about Death over Drafts? Grab a brew and listen to this episode in which you'll hear from founder – and craft beer lover – Stefanie Elkins. What is a Death over Drafts event like to attend? What is the Death Deck and how does it tie in to this kind of program? What's the purpose of these casual events, and who might attend? I love anything that brews up a conversation about the end of life, so you know I appreciate these nationwide events!

Death Cafes and Death Salons have been around for over a decade now and are continuing to grow in popularity. Maybe you've heard of them, but some might not know what they are or why people are organizing them. In this episode of Changing Lives, we're going to go over Death Cafes and Death Salons so that you'll be ready should you wish to attend one in the future.Support the Show.Listen on 91x FMYou can listen to episodes of "Changing Lives" on 91x FM each Monday (except for holidays) at 9:05am. Hospice Quinte is grateful to the support that 91x FM provides in producing the "Changing Lives" podcast.About Hospice QuinteHospice Quinte provides individuals, their families, and caregivers with compassionate end of life care, by attending to their physical, psychosocial, and practical needs, and offering empathetic care to those who are grieving through visiting hospice services and support groups. All Hospice Quinte programs and services are provided by compassionate, well-trained volunteers and staff at no charge to the individual or their family. Hospice Quinte serves a population of over 102,000 in Quinte West, Belleville, Deseronto, Tyendinaga Township and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. To find out more visit HospiceQuinte.ca.

Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Ken Ross President of the Elisabeth Kubler Ross Foundation. Honoring Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: A Legacy of Compassion and End-of-Life Care In 2020, Doulagivers Institute sponsored The Death Doula Global Summit and had interviews with the most impactful pioneers in the Death Doula and Death Positive Movement. The wisdom and interviews are breathtaking. If you were not able to be part of that live summit, here is your chance as we will be spotlighting some of the great interviews that will not only heal your heart- but inspire you about what is yet to come. In this episode of Ask a Death Doula, Join us as Ken Ross, son of the legendary Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, shares his extraordinary journey and what it was like growing up with a mother who revolutionized how we understand death and dying?  You'll uncover intimate stories about his mother, from her early days as a humble Swiss woman to becoming a global pioneer in end-of-life care. Ken gives us an insider's view into her remarkable life, revealing the profound impact she had on both him and the world. We also honor Dr. Kubler-Ross's relentless advocacy for marginalized communities. From aiding bullied classmates and animals in her youth to providing compassionate care for AIDS patients during a time of widespread stigma, her dedication knew no bounds. Despite facing severe backlash and professional ostracization, her mission to ensure dignified end-of-life care never wavered. Her pioneering contributions to holistic patient care have paved the way for modern advancements in palliative care, inspiring countless medical professionals, including registered nurse Suzanne O'Brien, who reflects on Dr. Kubler-Ross's influence on her own work. Looking to the future, Ken shares exciting developments aimed at preserving and expanding his mother's legacy. Discover how the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation is growing its global reach, from launching online education series in multiple languages to digitizing her archives at Stanford. As we navigate the challenges of COVID-19, this episode is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of adversity. Embrace life fully, learn from your fears, and carry forward the compassion that Dr. Kubler-Ross championed throughout her life.   We dive into: (04:23 - 05:44) Growing Up With an Incredible Mother (08:46 - 09:36) Maintaining Humanity During Crisis (12:14 - 13:41) Importance of Holistic End-of-Life Care (20:06 - 21:16) Global Online Education Collaboration Efforts (24:29 - 25:49) Global Expansion for Death Cafes (30:33 - 32:48) Life-Changing Journeys and Cultural Connections (35:42 - 36:41) Death as Universal Teacher     We want to hear from you!!! If you found this podcast helpful, Please Rate, Review, & Follow so we can reach more people.     Links mentioned in this episode: Doulagivers Institute The NEXT Free Level 1 End of Life Doula Training Registration LINK  The NEXT Free Doulagivers Discovery Webinar  Elizabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation   80-90% of a positive end of life depends on these two things: Knowing the basic skills on how to care for someone at the end of life and planning ahead - and BOTH Doulagivers Institute is giving you for FREE! Access them Below! Making your wishes known is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones. Download The Doulagivers 9 Choice Advance Directive now! It's FREE!     More about what we do at Doulagivers Institute - Click here! Learn more about Ken Ross Photography - Click here!

I think it is fair to say that Mark Dowie's latest book is unlike any other he's written. Brief and intensely personal, Mark writes about his experience with Judith Tannenbaum, poet and friend-of-a-friend who suffers from a debilitating yet often invisible illness with severe pain. Mark becomes a guide, dear friend and “amateur doula” for her as they share conversations and thoughts as she lives her final months. In this episode, he and I discuss Death Cafes, the Final Exit Network, Compassion and Choices, and of course the book, Judith Letting Go: Six Months in the World's Smallest Death Cafe.

What's the episode about? In this episode, hear author and vocal coach Clare Hogan discuss death anxiety, breath work, transpersonal psychology, performing death, death cafes and seeing death as an adventure and gateway to more life.   Who is Clare? After completing her GMus at the Royal Northern College of Music, Clare went on to do a Masters by Research at Keele University.  It was there that she discovered an interest in psychology.   Whilst still researching for her MA, Clare started tutoring at Keele and later at Salford University. Clare devised and has run the Master's course 'Psychology of Performance' at Salford for over 20 years. ​Clare is an expert in classical and operatic technique and has a keen interest in helping those suffering from anxiety and/or stage-fright.   Her latest book, Performance and Purpose in Death and Dying, was written over three years in response to the growing need for a sense of purpose in the wake of so much destruction and devastation, with the aim of communicating the message that there is no death as we commonly perceive it, and there is nothing to fear.   It developed and grew from the courses, classes and the Death Cafes that Clare has delivered and facilitated. The Alchemy of Performance Anxiety: Transformation for Artists was published in 2018, also by Free Association Books. How do I cite the episode in my research and reading lists? To cite this episode, you can use the following citation: Hogan, C. (2024) Interview on The Death Studies Podcast hosted by Michael-Fox, B. and Visser, R. Published 4 March 2024. Available at: www.thedeathstudiespodcast.com, DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25334869 What next? Checkout more episodes or find out more about the hosts! Got a question? Get in touch.   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thedeathstudiespodcast/message

In this episode, Dr. Chris Miller of the University of Ottawa discusses the research projects: "Speaking of Death: Understanding, Participation and Death Cafes" and his research paper, "Non-Religious Afterlife: Emerging Understandings of Death and Dying". This surprising interview reveals new trends in death and afterlife beliefs from those who are and are not religiously affiliated. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deathandtea/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deathandtea/support

Embracing Life's Final Chapter: The Rise of Death Cafes and Starting a Death Doula Business Ever wondered how the contemplation of mortality could enrich your life? Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, as I lead you through the enlightening world of Death Cafes and reveal the secret to starting a Death Doula business. We embark on a journey from the inception of Death Cafes by Bernard Crettaz to their global spread, thanks to John Underwood's vision. I'll share my personal experience of launching a Death Cafe in Millerton, New York, a place where profound community dialogues about death led to an unexpected deepening of life's appreciation. Discover how these unique gatherings create a nurturing environment where the taboo of death is explored and embraced, paving the way for meaningful conversations and community bonds. In the second act of our meaningful conversation, I take you behind the scenes of building a Death Doula practice, offering practical advice and heartfelt insights from my own transition from hospice nurse to creating a comprehensive end-of-life care program. I touch on the essence of being prepared, the intensity of supporting a family in their moment of need, and the importance of having a solid resource list. You will hear how Death Cafes can be a cornerstone for growth, both personally and professionally, for those in the Death Doula vocation. I conclude with the inspiring tale of how an accidental step led to the formation of a global community of practitioners, encouraging you to heed the call to service and experience the profound fulfillment it brings.     We dive into: (00:30 - 01:59) The Global Movement of Death Cafes (05:57 - 08:06) Death Cafes and Death Doulas' Importance (11:00 - 11:49) Death Doula Platform Building (17:04 - 18:14) Building Business and Serving Community       We want to hear from you!!! If you found this podcast helpful, Please Rate, Review, & Follow so we can reach more people.   Links mentioned in this episode: Doulagivers Institute The NEXT Free Level 1 End of Life Doula Training Registration LINK  The NEXT Free Doulagivers Discovery Webinar  The FREE Doulagivers Universal Life Mastery Masterclass (ULM)   80-90% of a positive end of life depends on these two things: Knowing the basic skills on how to care for someone at the end of life and planning ahead - and BOTH Doulagivers Institute is giving you for FREE! Access them Below! Making your wishes known is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones. Download The Doulagivers 9 Choice Advance Directive now! It's FREE!   More about what we do at Doulagivers Institute - Click here!

Join Scarlet and Blackbird as they discuss Blackbird's recent virtual attendance at a death cafe held through Ritualcravt in Denver; another virtual space she has also been involved in called The Human Library; SOIL SCIENCE, Hockey Magic, and so so much more!  The witches are determined to make it to Episode 100 before the end of 2023, so stay tuned and join them for a great conversation that is sure to expand your mind!  

I knew I had to do something unique for this Halloween, and when I heard about Death Cafes, my interest was peaked. I don't know if it's just part of growing older or my life experiences, but death is something I think about often. Not in a morbid way, well, maybe to some. But why don't we talk about it more. Is it because of the extreme emotions that come along with it? Is it because we don't talk about it enough, it becomes uncomfortable? I sat down with Lacy from The Art of Dying Fort Worth and we dove right in. The concept of a Death Cafe is genius to me. And you can all put December 14th on the calendar if you're interested in attending one. I really don't want to give much away here because this was such and interesting episode that flew by. I had many questions, and still have more and am curious to hear yours as well. Lacy and her business partner Taylor will be coming back in the new year to answer more questions and really deep dive into why a death doula has become a career path for many. Or more so a calling. Death maybe an uncomfortable conversation, but if the world has told us anything in the past few years especially…it's something we need to be thinking about.

Sue Brayne Talks About Living and Dying Well Sue Brayne has spent the past twenty years helping people to transform their relationship with mortality through end-of-life research, workshops, and books on spirituality, consciousness, and death and dying. She has an MA in the Rhetoric and Rituals of Death, and for many years she worked as a therapist, specializing in trauma, end of life issues, bereavement, and grief. Currently she hosts several Death Cafes each year, and she focuses on her work as a writer, speaker, and facilitator. Over the past few years, Sue has become increasingly aware of the shifts and changes that are happening to our planet. This prompted her to write her latest book, which is called Living Fully, Dying Consciously – The Path to Spiritual Wellbeing . She also hosts ‘an in conversation with Sue' blog which focuses on how to live consciously for a better world. She has set up the Living Fully, Dying Consciously – The Path to Spiritual Wellbeing. She also hosts ‘an in conversation with Sue' blog which focuses on how to live consciously for a better world. She has set up the Facebook community page Living Consciously for a Better World.  Sue is with us today for the third time. Learn more about Roberta here: http://robertagrimes.com   https://seekreality.com

#portugal #mamabear #howareyou?After the GuMPer Gathering from 8.30, Em 'Mamabear' McGowan joins us at 9am for the monthly 'Departure Lounge', where we talk openly about death and dying in Portugal - and with this in mind, living life to the fullest!Today, as she continues to recover from a serious medical diagnosis and subsequent surgery, Em shares how she's doing.AND we ask the same of everyone else in our community - "how are YOU?" Let us know in the chat or reach out via all of our other communication platforms... You can find Em on Facebook (Share and Care, Portugal - https://www.facebook.com/groups/725170581516791) and via carl@goodmorningportugal.com Death Cafes in Portugal - https://deathcafe.com/c/Portugal/---All that we do is made possible by our GMP! VIPs, Portugal Club members & associates including Expats Portugal and channel sponsors Herdade Do Meio / UrHome, Portugal.Become a GMP! VIP and/or join our 'Portugal Club' (more than 50% OFF membership offer) - https://ko-fi.com/gmp/tiersJoin Expats Portugal for access to top Portuguese migration professionals, discounts and perks - https://expatsportugal.com/?wpam_id=27Check out Portugal's most exciting new sustainable development project - http://www.herdadedomeio.pt, a development of UrHome Group, PortugalNeed to buy euros? Try Spartan FX for safety, security and SERVICE - https://www.goodmorningportugal.com/support-services/currency-exchange

We were so delighted to welcome James O'Hagan from LGBT Ireland to the podcast for our second Pride episode. James talks to us about the queer death cafes which he is heavily involved in organising. He introduces the queer death cafes, what you can expect from attending one and the topics that come up during the sessions.He also shares with us what he has learnt from the older queer community, discrimination within the queer community, what changes he hopes his work will support and so much more. We are very grateful for James coming in and chatting to us and sharing so much. We are delighted to announce that Certified Proud are collaborating and supporting our Pride episodes. Certified Proud is an organisation which allows the LGBTQ+ community to feel safe, whether that is in the workspace, visiting a hotel on a holiday, or going to the gym, if Certified Proud is affiliated with a group, everyone will be welcomed with respect and fairness. Entheos holds a lot of the same values as Certified Proud; creating safe spaces for the queer community, fighting discrimination, inclusivity and being the change we want to see in the world. We are very grateful for the work that Certified Proud do. Thank you to Liam, Donya and Eve, the Certified Proud team! @baldpriestess@celebratewithfeargh@entheosireland@jameso_hagan@certifiedproud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a huge fan of the show? Just 20 patrons sponsoring $4.99/month can cover our monthly production costs. Will you join this circle of support? Your gesture is more than monetary; it's a commitment to helping others find strength in their grief journey. Click Here to supportHave you heard of a Death Cafe or Death Doula? Whitney hadn't until a spiritual practioner shared with her the information of a Death Cafe that was meeting at a museum and Whitney decided to attend with a friend. Because who doesn't want to speak to more people about death? That is where Whitney met today's guest, Alice Vath, who is a Death Doula, Tarot Reader, Intuitive counselor and Dream Interpretor. Today's episode covers Death cafes, death in society and community and how to find support before, during and after death - for both the dying and their loved ones. Whitney truly enjoyed getting to speak to Alice, and has since attended one of her intuition workshops as well (which she highly recommends), and she hopes you get as much from this conversation as she did. How to contact Alice Vath: Intuitive Tarot Reader - Alice VathInstagram @alicevathCheck out her free online tarot course Her upcoming events and workshops To find a Death Doula near you: https://www.nedalliance.org/ We hope you enjoyed this episode and if the show resonates with you then welcome to our community and please subscribe so you will be alerted each Wednesday & Friday when a new episode releases. Taking a few minutes to rate and review the podcast will help other listeners find our community! For more information you can connect with Whitney directly on Instagram @theselfishgriever or at www.theselfishgriever.com She reads all her DMs personally and will respond as soon as she can.Thank you for your support! Music by Coma-Media from Pixabay Podcast hosted on Spreaker

Heather Hill, Funeral Director and Death Cafe Facilitator at Renaissance Funeral Home, explains what a 'death cafe' is and what to expect when attending one.

#portugal #death&dying #soundhealingAfter the GuMPer Gathering from 8.30, Em 'Mamabear' McGowan joins us at 9am for the 'Departure Lounge', where we talk openly about death and dying in Portugal.At 9.30, Portuguese sound therapist José Martins is our guest, who will talk to us about what he does and his amazing shop in central Portugal - https://www.euphoniacrystal.com/You can find Em on Facebook (Share and Care, Portugal) and via carl@goodmorningportugal.com Death Cafes in Portugal - https://deathcafe.com/c/Portugal/---All that we do is made possible by our GMP! VIPs, Portugal Club members & associates including Expats Portugal and channel sponsors Herdade Do MeioBecome a GMP! VIP (more than 50% OFF membership offer) - https://ko-fi.com/gmp/tiersJoin The Portugal Club - https://ko-fi.com/gmp/tiersJoin Expats Portugal for access to top Portuguese migration professionals, discounts and perks - https://expatsportugal.com/?wpam_id=27Check out Portugal's most exciting new sustainable development project - http://www.herdadedomeio.pt/Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/4668289695875072

Hosted by Dr Fatima El-Assaad, a medical researcher and a bereaved parent, this podcast explores birth trauma, infertility, early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant loss in religious and culturally diverse communities. This first season spotlights the experiences of culturally diverse Australian women who identify with the Islamic faith. This episode features:· Islamic rituals honouring pregnancy and infant loss· Culturally responsive counseling· Relationship between life and death· Unresolved grief Mariam Ardati is a Funeral Director, Consultant and Educator based in Sydney. Following an information management pathway and many years working in health-related industries, she developed a keen interest in the death-care sector. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated her time as both a volunteer and care consultant for a number of funeral services, performing the final rites in accordance with Islamic tradition, providing spiritual and practical care to the grieving, and assisting families through the coroner's court and its processes. As a death-literacy advocate, she also runs Death Cafes and workshops on death and dying from an Islamic perspective. These workshops were created to assist health professionals and support staff in government and non-government organisations develop more informed approaches to culturally appropriate therapy models and coping strategies for Muslim patients and their families. Want to feature in season 2? Let me know here!IG: @thestillnest.auThe Still Nest Disclaimer: This podcast is proudly sponsored by The Stillbirth Foundation Australia and Community Care Kitchen. The content shared in this podcast represents the views of The Still Nest and our guests and may not specifically reflect the views of these organisations. Please seek professional medical advice for any clinical circumstances that may arise. Season sponsors:Stillbirth Foundation AustraliaCommunity Care Kitchen Episode resources: Mariam Ardati socials: IG: sakina_funerals, LinkedIN Need support?The Pink Elephants Support NetworkBears of HopeSANDSDonateBaby Funeral Fund Did you like the episode? Buy me a coffee here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Weekend JAM debuts today at 2 with Zoë Thorne and I! Great music plus: - Buskers on OC Transpo - Memes We Have Seen - Whatcha Watchin'? - A car that can drive itself away if you default on payments - Death Cafes and more!

The Weekend JAM debuts today at 2 with Zoë Thorne and I! Great music plus: - Buskers on OC Transpo - Memes We Have Seen - Whatcha Watchin'? - A car that can drive itself away if you default on payments - Death Cafes and more!

71, Widows Aren't Invited Out on Saturday NightsSusan Kendal comes to us from Canada.She has experienced many deaths in her own family in a short amount of time. Susan's father suffered from heart disease for over 10 years. He was then diagnosed with chronic lymphoma, but was often unable to receive the needed treatments and medications due to his heart disease. Susan's husband passed away in 2014 while she was helping her father attend to his health. Just 2 years later, her father passed away. In her own words, "I've lost my husband, my father, my brothers." Susan explores being a widow, fatherless, and navigating life as it is now. Susan is now a grief advocate. She wants to help others learn about death, grief, and everything in between. Susan has helped host Death Cafes online, and has started Evolve Beyond Grief to help shatter death taboo. Speaking isn't the only way Susan is giving back to the community. She is an author and has several pieces available, linked below. Her most recent collaborative work is found in the 3rd link, a book called Gathering at the Doorway: An Anthology of Signs, Visits, and Messages from the Afterlife. You'll find Susan's story in Chapter 25, 'Our Shared Love,' about her journey after the transition of her husband Neil. https://hopeforwidows.org/author/skendal/ https://nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/its-an-important-time-to-talk-about-death/https://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Doorway-Anthology-Messages-Afterlife-ebook/dp/B09ZRSPXBCInstagram: @evolvebeyondgriefWebsite: https://www.evolvebeyondgrief.com/ Susan's recommendation for grievers:Death CafeWebsite: https://deathcafe.com/If you'd like to donate to Tim Harris' project of providing free therapy to at least one person for one year, please visit www.grievingisbreathing.com/donateInstagram: @grievingisbreathingWebsite: www.grievingisbreathing.comIf you'd like to help donate to Tim Harris' project while becoming a part of the Parentless Podcast Patreon crew, visit here:https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcastThis is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.Additional production and music by Ian Releford.Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?Email: parentlesspodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @parentlesspodcastVoicemail: 623.396.6069You are not alone.

Sue Brayne Talks About Living and Dying Optimally Sue Brayne is a British expert on the rituals of death and dying. She has an MA in the Rhetoric and Rituals of Death, and a second MA in Creative Writing. For many years she worked as a therapist, specializing in trauma, end of life issues, bereavement, and grief. Currently she hosts several Death Cafes a year, and she focuses on her work as a writer, speaker, and facilitator. Over the past few years Sue has become increasingly aware of the shifts and changes that are happening to our planet. This prompted her to write her latest book which is, Living Fully, Dying Consciously – The Path to Spiritual Wellbeing. She also hosts an “in conversation with Sue” blog which focuses on how to live consciously for a better world, and she has set up the Facebook community page Living Consciously for a Better World. Learn more about Roberta here: http://robertagrimes.com  

Em 'Mamabear' McGowan returns to look at death and dying here in Portugal with her resident feature - 'The Departure Lounge'.Her special guest is Ewout Van-Manen, someone who is hard to pigeon-hole, and has had a career in alternative education as teacher, administrator, and leader - as well as Trustee."I am now using my experience in the voluntary sector. I am setting up Death Cafes, am a trustee of a Unitarian charitable trust and am a director of a new C.I.C concerned with education of home educated children and families and their connection to nature and the arts," says Ewout.Join us in our mutual love of Portugal (and life, with all its ups and downs) with the GuMPer news desk, all-points weather, community input from all angles, throughout our upbeat and cheerful 90 daily minute get-together.Find Em 'Mamabear' McGowan via carl@goodmorningportugal.com#InspiredTuesdaysPortugal---10 ways to support, develop and contribute to the Good Morning Portugal! community - www.goodmorningportugal.com - with your time, talent or treasure...1. Tune in and share your love of Portugal every weekday on the breakfast show2. Send in your messages, pics and videos to the studio on WhatsApp (00 351) 913 590 3033. Subscribe and share our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/GoodMorningPortugal - help us get to 1K subscribers for monetisation and membership4. Sign up for our weekly newsletter - https://sites.google.com/view/carlmunson/postcard-from-portugal5. Send your community and cheerful news for inclusion in our news section - https://sites.google.com/view/carlmunson/gmp-news-desk6. Get your meetup or social on our Portugal Meetup listings page - www.portugalmeetups.com7. Support the people, organisations and businesses in our independent GuMPer Store - https://sites.google.com/view/carlmunson/the-gumperverse/gumperstore8. Join us as a guest on the show, sharing your love of Portugal and/or telling us about your self, project or business. Maybe even become a regular co-host?9. Become a supporter-member choosing one of our many membership levels from 9 euros monthly or make a one-off donation of any size - https://ko-fi.com/gmp - which will help us to grow and serve the community better10. Write me - carl@goodmorningportugal.com - with more ideas about how you'd like to see the GMP! community grow and how we can do it together for the good of all of us, Portugal, and the world!PS (11) Looking for Expats Portugal? Click through here - https://expatsportugal.com/?wpam_id=27Signing up with Streamyard helps us (-: https://streamyard.com/pal/4668289695875072

On this episode: Be Skeptical Dammit! - Welcome Back to New York Polio Enviroment / Plant Life - Turning Wind Turbine Blades into Gummy Bears? Researched Topic - Veritcal Farming / Veritcal Plant Factories Positive Topic - Death Cafes The sources for information shared on this episode will be posted on the social media sites.

Sue Brayne is a British expert on the rituals of death and dying. She has an MA in the Rhetoric and Rituals of Death, and a second MA in Creative Writing. For many years she worked as a therapist, specializing in trauma, end of life issues, bereavement, and grief. Currently she hosts several Death Cafes […] The post Sue Brayne Talks About Living and Dying Optimally appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Episode Notes In episode 315 of Disability After Dark, I sit down with Dr. Allison Mitch of Ignite Wellbeing  who is a disabled person with EDS and a physiotherapist among many other things.  We talk about their experience of disability, death cafes and disability, being a disabled parent, finding ways to bring joy to her clients and so much more.  Follow all my links for Disability After Dark (sign up to guest, patreon and to listen) & my work by going to www.aagurza.com Episode Sponsors: Clone-A-Willy or Clone-A-Pussy all your own and get 20% off sitewide by using coupon code DARKPOD at Checkout. www.cloneawillycom.  Get 15% off your next purchase of sex toys, books and DVDs by using Coupon code AFTERDARK at checkout when you shop at trans owned and operated sex shop Come As You Are www.comeasyouare.com  Support Bump'n and donate so everyone can access self-pleasure by going to  www.getbumpn.com  This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week, I return to my wonderful conversation with Tiana Dargent (she/her), Founder of Queer Community Deathcare in Ontario Canada, to discuss Death Cafes! We talk about what death cafes are, the benefits they offer, and why death cafes should be available in every community. We also touch on the Queer Community Death Cafe that Tiana runs, and how conversations around death are particularly important for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Produced and Hosted by and Alexandra Jo (they/them), Director of Outreach and Education at Parting Stone, and Co-Hosted by Justin Crowe (he/him), Founder & CEO of Parting Stone. To learn more about Parting Stone and solidified remains visit Parting Stone's website.

Val Zavala, former anchor/reporter for the long-running KCET (L.A. PBS station) series SoCal Connected and Life & Times talks about: The ‘Extinction Circle' group that she was part of for a couple years, meeting once a month to discuss likely human extinction (before the pandemic led the group to slowly disband; meantime she continues to be an active member of her local ‘Death Café'); how approaching humanity's future is akin to Elisabeth Kubler Ross' five stages of grief; the oil industry's campaign of disinformation and its effect on the climate crisis; a profoundly thoughtful Buddhist take on our (humankind's) fate; relating extinction to former guest Fernando Dominguez Rubio's study of the preservation of artworks in the museum, and what Val thinks of the lengths museums go to maintain artworks' longevity; the concept of EA, or Effective Altruism, in relation to human longevity; “Seeding” the future, which is to say leaving a better foundation for future civilizations; and her “New 10 Commandments for Future Generations.”

Anglo-American attitudes toward burial have changed significantly over the past half century: today, most people choose to be cremated, and alternatives like natural burials and human composting are on the rise. Margareta Magnusson's The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, about the importance of getting your affairs in order, was a surprise bestseller, and American mortician Caitlin Doughty is but one of several popular YouTube personalities who speak about death. But largely absent from the conversations at so-called Death Cafes (coffee, crumpets, and the inevitable!) is any discussion of the people who devote their lives to caring for the dead. These death workers are the focus of Hayley Campbell's new book, All the Living and the Dead. Campbell speaks to people doing jobs we tend not to consider: embalmers and executioners, of course, but also crime scene cleaners, mass fatality investigators, bereavement midwives, and others. What makes these people choose to surround themselves with death tells us a lot about what the rest of us lose when we relegate death to the shadows. Go beyond the episode:Hayley Campbell's All the Living and the Dead: From Embalmers to Executioners, an Exploration of the People Who Have Made Death Their Life's WorkRead more about the Order of the Good Death, an organization of funeral professionals working to change attitudes about deathYou can join the conversation at your nearest Death CafeWatch Caitlin Doughty's series on your death rights (and listen to our interview with her about funerary practices around the world)Tune in every week to catch interviews with the liveliest voices from literature, the arts, sciences, history, and public affairs; reports on cutting-edge works in progress; long-form narratives; and compelling excerpts from new books. Hosted by Stephanie Bastek.Subscribe: iTunes • Stitcher • Google Play • AcastHave suggestions for projects you'd like us to catch up on, or writers you want to hear from? Send us a note: podcast [at] theamericanscholar [dot] org. And rate us on iTunes! Our theme music was composed by Nathan Prillaman. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, it is a return to form! We commiserate with the A-level students of the UK and share our own experiences, talk about death in cafes, bitch about postmodern internet content, and fantasise about decomposition. +++ Music used "Victory" by Monplaisir; "Camper" by Phillip Gross; "Level 4" by Monplaisir; "Japan", "Too Grimy", "Sofa Fitness" by Lobo Loco; and "Seattle" by Yung Kartz. Check them out on freemusicarchive.org.

Archaeological remains, Jewish rituals, music, memento mori and the construction of elaborately carved tombs: Matthew Sweet discusses grief and the expression of mourning with guests: Lindsey Buster, an archaeologist whose work at Death Cafes, set up to help people talk about death, has led her to reinterpret the way people's relationship with 'stuff' shows up in the archaeological record Emily MacGregor, a musicologist who is writing a memoir of the ways her relationship with music changed after the death of her father Christina Faraday, an historian of art who has studied memento mori and vanitas, two popular genres of painting in the early modern period that suggest a different set of attitudes towards death Sally Berkovic, who has written about Jewish rituals and traditions surrounding death and mourning https://sallyberkovic.com/ Producer: Luke Mulhall You can find on the BBC Ideas website a short film about how to face death with Kathryn Mannix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CruBRZh8quc and a Free Thinking Festival Discussion Death Comes to Us All https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09xnmgz

Talking about death over cake and coffee may not sound like everyone's cup of tea, but Death Cafes have been growing in popularity and they provide a wonderful space to get people talking about a subject which is still a very taboo topic. I'm joined by Chairperson of the Irish Ethical Celebrants Society Yvonne Cassidy who facilitates Death Cafes, and Celebrant Derbhile Graham to discuss this interesting phenomenon, and the beauty that can come from talking about death. In this episode we unpack the 'what, when, and why' of Death Cafes, cultural differences in the funeral landscape, and final song choices!Thank you so much to Derbhile and Yvonne for joining me for this lovely chat.You can find out more about Derbhile online at celebrantderv.ie, through Instagram here, and on Facebook here.If you'd like to get in touch with Yvonne Cassidy, you can head online to yvonnecassidyweddings.com, through Instagram here, and through Facebook here.And for more information about the Irish Ethical Celebrants Society, all you need to know is on their website hereEnjoy the episode and do let me know your thoughts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today I am interviewing a new friend and kindred spirit, Carolyn Zaikowski. While Carolyn makes a living as a writer and writing professor, she also has a take on dying as a trained Death Doula. Our conversation covers everything from WHY to become a Death Doula ... HOW to become Death Doula ... and ways to FIND a Death Doula to assist with the tactical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the end of YOUR life, or a loved one's. She also shares her experience with Death Cafes, and the insightful suggestion that "death can be trusted." Learn more about Carolyn and our conversation topics at the websites below. http://www.carolynzaikowski.com/ (www.carolynzaikowski.com) http://www.pioneervalleywriters.org/ (www.pioneervalleywriters.org) https://radicaldeathstudies.com/ (radicaldeathstudies.com) https://queerdeathstudies.net/ (queerdeathstudies.net) http://deathcafe.com/ (Deathcafe.com)

My own Doctor of Acupuncture, https://www.mcmanusacupuncture.com/about-claire (Claire McManus), provides eldercare-givers with her expert SELF care tips. She extols the benefits of strategically placed needles, contemplative care retreats, photographing the dead, Death Cafes, meditation apps, therapy dogs, laughter, exercise, and a good night's sleep. She also has advice for anyone who gets sprayed by a Baird's tapir, needs to rehabilitate a sea turtle, or wants to befriend an ornery warthog (AND his wife). Mainly Claire is here to remind us: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lionsroar.com/the-five-remembrances/?goal%3D0_1988ee44b2-529b83fd4e-26077024%26mc_cid%3D529b83fd4e%26mc_eid%3D251d0c1382&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1638245579551000&usg=AOvVaw2dH6u8GMdfdez9A6iD_Z4Y (we're all gonna die).

Jane was introduced to Sue Fredrick through her friend, Unity Reverend Richard Carlini. The connection was immediate between the two woman. On the show this week Jane will find out how Sue became an intuitive, spiritual coach. Author of eight books, her started on her spiritual path when she was only 28 years old and lost her first husband to cancer. Her elevated path will be unveiled during the show this week as the two talk about love, loss, woo-woo moms, and the divine mother grief. When asked what is in The Next Room waiting for Sue, her answer is as remarkable as she is. If you're curious about Death Cafes, Sue is helping to facilitate one in the next couple weeks. It's all about Sue Frederick's Divine Lens this week on The Next Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we learn about a program in San Mateo that keeps people out of nursing homes and off the streets and how California's Medi-Cal program is trying to follow their lead. Then, in a story from our archives about the thing we are all bound to encounter, we hear table-side conversations at a Death Cafe.

The Advisory Board of the Beautiful Dying Expo has connected Jane with extraordinary new guests for The Next Room. Wilka Roig has an enormous background in the death community. She has a wealth of information on mutiple areas, including, Dream Work, Death Cafes, Death Doula work and Transpersonal Psychology. After years of study, she feels that she knows for certain that when our loved ones cross over they can indeed communicate with us. Join Jane and Wilka for an inspired show involving symbolic language and deep consciousness this week, on The Next Room! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking about death is important, that's how Bernie Folan sees it. Bernie has run Galway's Death Cafe since 2019 - a space for people to get together and to talk about our eventuality. Bernie joined Louise in the studio to talk about the cafe, how it started, and the importance of discussing death.

Part 4 of the 'Who will look after me when I get old' series. My guest is Jennifer Moran Stritch. We have a fascinating and wide ranging discussion on the topic of ageing without children. We explore common stereotypes, the power of assumptions and how to catch ourselves from being drawn into them. We explore some concepts such as the adult orphan and the loss of the assumptive world which can help us to understand what we might be experiencing in our own lives. And we round things off by talking about Death Cafes and the rule that there must always be cake!Jennifer has a background in social care and social work; she lectures in Social Care in the Limerick Institute of Technology and with the MSc in Loss and Bereavement  with the Irish Hospice/RCSI. She is a frequent keynote speaker and workshop facilitator on aspects of loss, resilience and growth across the human lifespan. She is also a host of Limerick Death Café since 2015.This is a link to the Irish Hospice 'Think Ahead' form which we discuss - https://hospicefoundation.ie/i-need-help/i-want-to-plan-ahead/think-ahead/ and to Death Café Limerick - https://www.facebook.com/deathcafelimerick/Please subscribe/follow the podcast and check out the 'Are Kids For Me' pages on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/arekidsforme and Instagram,https://www.instagram.com/arekidsforme/ for more information and episode updates! Episode transcripts are available on  https://www.arekidsforme.ie/podcast 

Catfished online. Hillbilly Gardeners. Death Cafes. Music Therapy.

In this jam-packed episode, Claire speaks to award-winning funeral celebrant and grief trainer Rosalie Kuyvenhoven about all things funeral. They discuss the discrepancies between the way that funerals are perceived and the actual realities of funerals. They look at creativity within funeral work, the growing trend of Zoom funerals and the rise in Death Cafes too. As well as discussions about the funeral industry itself. Whether you're a funeral celebrant or not this is a fascinating episode on life and death and our work in these areas as celebrants.

This is Episode 9 of The Africans Heal Podcast.

My guest this week is Michael Marvosh. Michael is the podcast host of Dead Man's Forest and is working on his book Reality Knows the Truth: The Art and Artifice of Being Human. Michael and I discuss what it means to be human and the human experience of spirituality. Michael tells us his deconversion story that he no longer sees as deconversion. He describes his rediscovery of a rational spirituality. Michael and I hit a broad range of conversation topics including having conversations that matter, models vs reality, A.I., Death Cafes, vision quests, blind spots and podcasting. It was truly a conversation that mattered. Links Contact Michael mm@michaelmarvosh.com Website https://www.michaelmarvosh.com/projects Dead Man's Forest https://www.deadmansforest.org/ Reality Knows the Truth: The Art and Artifice of Being Human About Rational Spirituality–a way of looking at the world with a balance between ancient wisdom and modern reason. https://michael.ck.page/d36a3d2338 Death Cafe https://deathcafe.com/ Interact Secular Grace https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/?gaid=gap70 Deconversion https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/?gaid=gap70 Attribution "Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats https://makaihbeats.net/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gracefulatheist/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gracefulatheist/support

Funeral director Heather Campbell Hill of the Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh, North Carolina is interviewed by folklorist Sarah Bryan as part of an Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center to document funeral services workers in the Carolinas. Although relatively new to her profession, Heather’s dedication and compassion to help people during, as she says, “the worst times of their lives,” is reflected throughout her interview. She talks about learning her profession, Death Cafes, Green Burials, and facing the unknown. A note to listeners: although not explicit, Heather’s interview does include discussions of death, bereavement and funerals.

In this episode, Jen and Sarah Jane talk about the concept of precious impermanence, an organizing principle for many Asian religions and belief systems.Impermanence dignifies the transient nature of reality. Clinging to things as if they could be permanent is what causes unnecessary suffering in life. Through Buddhist, yogic, and Taoist textual references and stories, Sarah Jane and Jen demonstrate the value of seeing the world as ever-changing and uncertain. Not only is it realistic, but it compels us to live meaningfully, passionately, now.~~~Books Find the following books in your  local Black-owned bookstore:"Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong" by Norman Fischer"Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living" by Pema Chödrön“The Five Invitations” by Frank Ostaseski“A Year to Live” by Stephen Levine“The Trauma of Everyday Life” by Mark Epstein. "The World We Have: A Buddhist Approach to Peace & Ecology" by Thich Nhat Hanh"The Next in the Stream: Lessons from Nature on Being with Pain" by Micheal Kearney, MD.Online ProgramsA Year to Live course at Spirit Rock. You can also find it at InsightLA and other centers, usually offered at the beginning of a calendar year.  Mortal with Alua Arthur (end-of-life doula, attorney, professor, and minister) and Caitlin Doughty (mortician and author). This course helps people meet their fear of death.Sarah Jane is an end-of-life educator and doula, focusing on mindfulness practice for presence, peace, and purpose. She offers Death Cafes and a mini-course she calls Mindful Approaches to End-of-Life Matters. For more information, go to www.sarahjaneshangraw.com. ~~~May Dharma Book ClubStart reading the Tao te Ching and send in your insights and questions by May 1 to be included in our next episode.~~~You can find us on  Facebook and Instagram. We also welcome your messages at feedback@skillfulmeanspodcast.com or in our voicemail box on SpeakPipe.You can also get in touch with Jen and Sarah Jane directly. Don't forget! You can also practice with us live each week: https://www.sati.yoga/practice/virtualclasses.html

Dr. Agapi Ermides is an anesthesiologist in Bronx, New York. She received her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. We speak to Agapi about her long-standing interest in end-of-life work and her experience of setting up virtual Death Cafes at the onset of COVID-19. In this episode:Background and career journeyCuriosity about death and dying growing upAbout Death Doula trainingDeath Cafe - what is it, common misconceptions, the realityWho comes to a Death Cafe?"Love is all that matters""Important not to influence others as to what they should think or believe about what happens to them after death."How to connect with Dr. AgapiFollow on ClubhouseFollow on Instagram

End of Life Companion and Doula Tanya Bryan joins me in this episode to discuss the role of a Death Doula; how we deal with the idea of 'ending'; and the preciousness of life. You can find out more about Tanya Bryan at atimetogather.ie and I encourage listeners to visit her site to read her beautiful and fascinating lamentations. During this episode we discuss different aspects of the journey to acceptance, and in the course of the conversation we mention Death Cafes which you can find out more about through deathcafe.org. And Tanya is also part of a doula collective, the website for which is in the process of being built but it will be accessible through deathdoula.iePlease do check out those links and enjoy the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Death Science Podcast Episode 014Topics: Virtual Death Cafes & Green Funerals Guest: Jean Francis Learn more at: https://lastwishes.world/ Host: Jeremy CilibertoLearn More about the show at: www.DeathScience.org Sponsored by: CatacombCulture.com & RestingGrounds.org Watch more at www.Catacomb.tv Explore my human bone gallery at www.CatacombCulture.com _________________________________Patreon: www.DeathScience.vip Youtube: www.DeathScience.tv Bone Art: www.CatacombCulture.com Site: www.DeathScience.org Discord: www.DeathScience.club tiktok: DeathScience twitter: DeathScienceTV IG: DeathScienceTV FB: fb.com/deathscience email list: www.CatacombFamily.com Podcast: Search "Death Science Podcast" on any major podcast platform________________________________#DeathSciencePodcast #GreenFuneral #NaturalBurial #GreenFuneral #DeathCare #Postlifecare #alternativeburial

  Guest Introduction: This is Exploring the Seasons of Life podcast episode 33. I’m Cindy MacMillan and today’s guest is Nada Frazier. Welcome to Exploring the Seasons of Life, a podcast for women with a big heart on a spiritual journey. Each week join Cindy MacMillan as she interviews coaches, spiritual explorers, and celebrants from all walks of life about beginnings, endings, and the messy bits in-between. Self-love, well-being, and mindset are at the heart of our conversations because once you change the inside, the outside will begin to change as well. Welcome back to Exploring the Seasons of Life podcast. If you are new to the podcast or are a long-time listener thank you for being here and you are going to love this conversation. I am so excited for my guest today. Nada Frazier is the Founder of The Sacred Servant where she serves as a non-medical, non-judgmental holistic Life & Death Coach, Certified End-of-Life Doula, Consultant, Community Educator, Inspirational Speaker, and lover of life! Nada served on the Board of Directors of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance 2018-2019 term. Nada founded and facilitates The Death Café of Northeast Florida and has served as a hospice volunteer for over 10 years. She enjoys her family, meditation, nature, and never met a tree or rock she didn’t love. Here’s a glimpse of our conversation: 3:00: And then in the fall, again, with respect to our minds, it's a time of relationship to the rest of community and it reminds me of when trees start losing their leaves, right and going into fall, their roots go even deeper into the soil. And there are all kinds of studies now that talk about how tree roots have their like nerve centers, and they connect with other trees. And really, it is a community-building experience, not just what you see above the ground. 5:16: I've been around death and life, obviously, since I was a young person, I spent much of my youth on my grandparent’s farm in Texas. 8:50: Well, I can't speak for other people. Because I think every end-of-life doula is unique. For me, it's just so varied. So, you know, I can do anything for example I'll have someone contact me and say, I'm a college student. And I've got a friend that's received a diagnosis, and I really want to know how to best support them.  14:25: A Death Cafe is really where people show up. My job is to facilitate the discussion meaning I create a safe space for people to talk about what they want to talk about. I am not there to, to you know, I do a lot of community education and workshops and different teachings. I'm not there to do that. In this environment, I'm there to just facilitate people having a discussion about whatever they want to talk about in the theme of death. And so, the objective of a Death Cafe is to increase awareness, with the hope of when people do that, they will make the most of their lives.  17:56: If I change my perception about death, meaning, it's this big, scary thing that I'm fearful of, and I'm not going to say the D-word ever, because then it could happen. Well, here's the reality, it's going to happen, the death rate is 100%. At least the last time I checked; I don't think that's changed. And so when we start consciously addressing that elephant in the room, or whatever you want to call it called Death, I believe that we more consciously and fully live because we realize that there is an end date at some point on this particular lifetime that we're living. So I think that we are going to be more conscious about how we choose to live our life.  34:23: So on my bucket list, I want to be really ever-present in my life, meaning taking the time to watch the Osprey that flies in my neighborhood, and even if it's five minutes, but being really tuned into that watching, as I said earlier, the squirrels play and making sure for example, my husband and I, we never go to bed mad at each other. Not that we're mad at each other very often; we don't get sideways very often, but especially in the work that I do, we have come to appreciate that any minute could be our last moment together. So we don't ever want to be sideways with each other. So that's on my bucket list. Resources Mentioned:  The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by: Brene Brown Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by: David Kessler You can find Nada Frazier at: Website Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Exploring the Seasons of Life and my conversation with Nada Frazier.   Are you ready for Grief and Loss Coaching? The very first step is scheduling a Discovery Session, which is simply a FREE 30-minute heart to heart conversation, where we will talk about your grief journey and get to know each other a bit and make sure we have the right chemistry to work together. Next, we will explore how coaching can give you the tools and the support you need to help you face your sadness, reconnect with your life, and find a way forward. You don’t have to do it alone. You can reach me via the website CynthiaMacMillan.com or email me at Cindy@CynthiaMacMillan.com. Until next time. Live inspired! If you enjoyed this conversation with Nada Frazier, you might also enjoy these other episodes: Hard Conversations + Solace in Nature with Sarah McInerney Peruvian Trained Shaman and Medicine Woman, Shannon Davis Putting More Love Into The World With Zita Christian

Did your grandmother's house have a parlor that was used to care for the dead? Mine did. When the time comes, which do you want: a funeral home or a home funeral? Burial or cremation? Fancy casket or cardboard box? Ashes in an urn or scattered someplace special? Who have you talked to about what you want? No one? I'm not surprised. Death hasn't been a popular topic of conversation -- until now.  This episode explores the national death-positive movement through Death Cafes, Death Doulas, Speaking Grief, the National Home Funeral Alliance, and more. It also includes "The Memory Box." That's a funeral ritual I created to help anyone, especially children, find a way to grieve.  Mentioned in the episode: National Home Funeral Alliance  (This is where you’ll find the Quick Guide to Home Funerals) Speaking Grief    Death Cafe   The International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA)   Mary’s Place (A Center for Grieving Children and Families)   Death’s Summer Coat: What the History of Death and Dying Teaches Us About Life and Living by Brandy Schillace The Celebrant Foundation & Institute    This episode is the 3rd in a series related to funerals. Others are: Ritual Recipes Episode 38 / Funerals for Pets Ritual Recipes Episode 39 / Funerals for the Death of a Marriage  

83 years young, Barbara Sarah, has brought a lot of goodness to the world and shows no signs of slowing down. Following a breast cancer diagnosis in 1992, she left a 20-year career as a school social worker on Long Island and chose to dedicate herself to work in oncology. Founder of the Oncology Support Program at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, she is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NY State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the NY State Governor's Award for Innovation in Breast Cancer Education. She's a Co-founder of Circle of Friends for the Dying, which both sponsors “death cafés,” which consist of people sitting around talking about living, death and dying, and is in the process of renovating a Home for the Dying as an alternative to the hospital or a nursing home. For 25 years she has been an instructor of Morita and Naikan therapies, Buddhist-based strategies for mental wellness. She's one of the organizers of Calling Our Ancestors, an event taking place in Academy Green Park in Kingston on October 25th from 2-4pm with ritual, drum, calling in the ancestors, sharing and dear Barbara will be leading the group in song, "We Will Meet Again."We talk about growing up during WWII, singing to raise money for war bonds, theater, social work, cancer, death and her Japanese practices that regularly help her stay in a place of gratitude and living each day to her fullest. She's a joy and a force, and I hope you enjoy getting to meet her through our conversation!Today's show was engineered by Nick Panken of Freedom Highway on Radio Kingston.Our show music is from Shana Falana !!!Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.orgLeave me a voicemail with your thoughts or a few words about who inspires you! (845) 481-3429** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IThttp://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcastITUNES | SPOTIFY | STITCHERITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-want-what-she-has/id1451648361?mt=2SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/77pmJwS2q9vTywz7Uhiyff?si=G2eYCjLjT3KltgdfA6XXCASTITCHER: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/she-wants/i-want-what-she-has?refid=stpr'Follow:INSTAGRAM * https://www.instagram.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast/FACEBOOK * https://www.facebook.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcastTWITTER * https://twitter.com/wantwhatshehas

In this episode, it's a return to form! We commiserate with the A level students of the UK, talk about death in cafes, bitch about postmodern Internet content, and fantasise about decomposition.+++Music used "Victory" by Monplaisir; "Camper" by Phillip Gross; "Level 4" by Monplaisir; "Freedom" by Yung Kartz; "Too Grimy" by Yung Kartz. Check them out on freemusicarchive.org

It’s always been there. It’s bathing in the shadows of wars, famine, floods, September 11th, and in just plain, old, everyday life. At times, it perches its talons more prominently than at others. Now, with COVID-19, it’s trickling in our veins again. It is—the fear of dying. Death Cafes, gatherings where folks discuss demise over cake and coffee, or even pizza, are helping people cope. Author, J. Dana Trent, discusses the promise of Death Cafes, and her book, “Dessert First: Preparing for Death While Savoring Life.” NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Diaper Bank of North Carolina

  Dissident Island Radio episode 247 is a bumper mashup of black lives matter and mutual aid, tending you with:   – A report back and street sounds from the first weekend of Black Lives Matter demonstrations in London (00:01:35 – 00:12:10)   – RaRa sharing mutual support strategies for mental health carers, critiques of psychiatry, the impacts of covid and how we can sustain each other (00:14:34 – 00:45:40)   – Faith from Leabridge Mutual Aid Group discussing practical community support networks taking root under lockdown (00:46:49 – 01:04:04)   – A double dose of legal learnings from ACAB Andy – first with updates on police and court responses to the demos (01:07:52 – 01:21:10) followed by advice on what to expect should you suffer arrest (01:27:14 -01:45:10)   – Sprinkled throughout are spoken word poems and snippets of speech from the Newington Green Black Lives Matter demo held last Saturday, 13th June   – And playing us out is Ronin with a technically filthy set ahead of his new release (01:46:15 – 03:05:45)   Download the full show below or download the chat show and/or dj set separately here: SHOW // DJ SET   For additional resources on collective care check out: – CRADLE Community for resources around care and accountability – Power Makes us Sick zine, ‘physically distant, connected by care: towards collective resilience and strength during the covid-19 pandemic' – PirateCare's syllabus of resources, inc. content around coronavirus – Queercare : Mental Health Intervention Protocol pocket guide – Death Cafes gone digital, inc. The Outside Project‘s Virtual Community Center centering LGBTQ+ – Misery Party: a mental health collective centering queer/trans/nb BIPOC. The Misery Meets Curriculum has many great links – Healing Justice LDN centers black, brown and indigenous healing. Latest sessions include confronting savior complexes within carework. – If you've any cash to share RaRa recommends Black Minds Matter UK   For more on mutual aid check out: – Transformative justice handbook – Lessons from Covid-19 on transformative justice and mutual aid – Reflections for activists going local for the first time  

In this episode Mitzi and Casey discuss things to think about when running a Death Café, and pitfalls to avoid. 

Death is not a well-worn rhythm, so how do you find authentic assurance in life after death? We went to a Death Cafe to find out what people are looking for in discussing death.

This episode was scheduled to be released prior to the events of this week and I was a little hesitant to release it but feel the topic is important. Life is precious and fragile and sometimes very unkind. We truly never know what the future holds. But just because we are not guaranteed to live to old age, does not mean we cannot think about or let be known our preferences and wishes for that time. Have you ever thought about planning for death? Your death? A loved one's? It's a cringey topic and most people do not like talking about or thinking death, no matter what your age or circumstance. So full disclosure, I presently do not have life insurance or a will and to be perfectly honest, I haven't given much thought to them beyond acute interest when I hear it being talked about on a podcast or talk show or at times like these when we are reminded how quickly things can change. I know these things are really important but I seem to always push them down to the very back of my mind.  I do however, oddly think about my funeral. Often. Maybe I am totally alone and whackadoo on this one but I wonder who will be there? What will it look like? What kind of food will be served? I also admittedly have this unhealthy need to be liked. Not admired or anything. Just liked. When I think about my life, how I want to live it and the person I want to be, I often think about my death and how I don't want anyone I have ever encountered to be happy to hear about it or not even care at all. I want them to think “Oh, she was nice!” (how Canadian of me no?).Even if I personally don't like someone, I still don't ever want ill feelings towards me. It makes me anxious to think about. Is that weird? Probably something I should work through... On this episode, we chat death and dying with Ilene Hart, a wonderful woman who has led an incredible life rooted in service to others, not only as a licensed professional counsellor and certified life coach but as a genuine human being who always acts in kindness and with an open heart. Ilene has the incredible ability to connect with everyone she meets. I have witnessed complete strangers open up to her about their lives and she just soaks it in and then wraps them in love and warmth. Despite being in her senior years, Ilene approaches life with continuous curiosity and appreciation and is an eternal student. As such, I am always learning from Ilene. This past year she had mentioned to me a couple of things I had never heard of before: Death Doulas and Death Cafes. And so I wanted to connect with her to hear her take on a topic that so many of us feel uncomfortable with.  In talking about approaches to death and dying, we are not talking about sudden or unexpected incidences of loss like the unimaginable tragedy of this week. Instead we are talking about living to old age or circumstances when you may know a life is ending for example, with terminal illness. I know this conversation is not going to be for everyone, although ironically death inevitably affects everyone. But I completely understand it is a really tough thing to talk and think about and doesn't necessarily fill you with the feel goods. So proceed with caution and who knows, you just may see things in with a different perspective. I know I do!  In this episode we chat about: Death Doulas and Death Cafes  Why it is so hard to talk about death Legacy projects Grief Links to references made:   The work of Stephen Jenkinson: https://orphanwisdom.com/ Death Doula Information: https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/ Death Cafe Resources: https://deathcafe.com/ Jill Schelsinger - for tips on financial considerations for end of life: https://www.jillonmoney.com/ Follow along for more: Website: www.theselfcenteredpodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselfcenteredpodcast/

Upon the death of her sister, Lisa realised that she had ‘midwifed’ her through the end of life stages, through a terminal illness diagnosis, treatment options, holistic care, bedside vigiling, funeral preparation and a home wake. There was great clarity that the entire journey could be supported, the transition from life to death to after life. The experience of this caregiving journey has been documented in Lisa’s book, Many Rivers to Cross. In her current role, Lisa serves to educate and support her community in dealing with end of life processes. This includes providing services as an end of life doula, a death educator and mentor, a life transition celebrant for funeral and memorial services and supporting others through individual grief and loss journeys. Lisa has a Diploma of Counselling, a post graduate qualification in palliative care and is a current member of the Australian Funeral Celebrants Association. Lisa has worked previously as a Funeral Director, volunteered with hospice, volunteers with a not for profit supporting people living with chronic illness, has hosted Death Cafes and consistently upskills with diverse reading, industry relevant training, workshops and professional development. With a benevolent work ethic, her qualifications, extensive hands on industry experience and unique personal background, Lisa is an exceptional guide to those facing end of life challenges. Lisa sees supporting others at the end of life as the most fulfilling and life affirming role she could ever do.

This first episode is an interview with Austin Death Cafe host, Heather Black, a hospice nurse who wants to encourage a "death positive" outlook and help people feel comfortable asking questions about the most inevitable reality we all face.

Death is a difficult topic no matter how you slice it, but cultivating a healthier outlook on end-of-life issues can have profound effects on families when they encounter loss. That's the mission of Death Cafe. It's a self-described "social franchise" — a set of ideals that can be replicated in small groups around the world. It's not a support group, but a way to get people talking about death in a productive manner. After all, it's a social and personal issue that everyone will face at some point in their lives. The IRL groups have spread far and wide thanks to the power of the Internet. Alli and Jen speak with Megan Mooney, an end-of-life and hospice care specialist who has hosted Death Cafes for more than 6 years. Mooney discusses the personal journey that led her to this work, and the power of online and offline communities when it comes to coping with mortality. Support 2G1P on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/2G1P Join us on Discord: discord.gg/2g1p Email us: 2G1Podcast@gmail.com Talk to Alli and Jen: https://twitter.com/alligold https://twitter.com/joonbugger Call the show and leave a message! (347) 871-6548   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a miniseries I've wanted to do for a LONG time! And it's finally here! Death, Dying and Grief: when was the last time you thought about it? When was the last time you thought about it...in a positive, beautiful way? Death is inevitable. Why not figure out how to celebrate your life, be proactive for your loved ones, and put the FUN back in funerals? This is a fantastic podcast miniseries for ALL OF US to ponder--the End. But in a happy way! My first guest helping out the community at large on death, dying and grief is Dr. Elaine Voci. Elaine is an award-winning author, Elaine’s works have been published in the United States, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom in magazines, blogs and academic journals. She is the author of eight inspirational books, a life coach, and hosts quarterly Death Cafes in her community. Elaine is a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild and has been named one of the Top Ten Best Life Coaches in Indianapolis by Expertise.com. Her website: www.elainevoci.com Dr. Voci's Amazon page: https://amzn.to/2UUrX1x Dr. Voci's book, Resilience Art: https://amzn.to/2GFIKNd _____ Tweet me @ErinLAlbert and let me know what you think of this miniseries! www.erinalbert.com

Death Cafes offer a safe place to talk about a taboo subject. Participants talk about death while drinking tea and eating cakes. These cafes are spreading throughout the world as people embrace the opportunity to talk about death in a non-judgemental, open and honest environment. Find out more at DeathCafe.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at NicoleChristina.com, and become a patron at Patreon.com/ZestfulAging.

Dr. Graham Lau brings us a story. His Blog is here and here’s Blue Marble Space. Shannon Geis brings us a story about Death Cafes. John Cotter tells us about his hearing. Here’s his Twitter. You can find more of his writing here, here and here. Jenny-Lynn Ellis reads her essay fighting woman. Her blog is … Continue reading "Special Episode: 2018 Year In Review"

Dr. Graham Lau brings us a story. His Blog is here and here’s Blue Marble Space. Shannon Geis brings us a story about Death Cafes. John Cotter tells us about his hearing. Here’s his Twitter. You can find more of his writing here, here and here. Jenny-Lynn Ellis reads her essay fighting woman. Her blog is … Continue reading "Special Episode: 2018 Year In Review"

Dr. Graham Lau brings us a story. His Blog is here and here’s Blue Marble Space. Shannon Geis brings us a story about Death Cafes. John Cotter tells us about his hearing. Here’s his Twitter. You can find more of his writing here, here and here. Jenny-Lynn Ellis reads her essay fighting woman. Her blog is … Continue reading "Special Episode: 2018 Year In Review"

Bill Palmer has dedicated much of his life to helping people get comfortable with death. Hear why he has hosted more than 75 Death Cafes and what he's learned from them and the people who attend. Note: A Life and Death Conversation is produced for the ear. The optimal experience will come from listening to it. We provide the transcript as a way to easily navigate to a particular section and for those who would like to follow along using the text. We strongly encourage you to listen to the audio which allows you to hear the full emotional impact of the show. A combination of speech recognition software and human transcribers generates transcripts which may contain errors. The corresponding audio should be checked before quoting in print. Contact Death Cafe website Transcript Dr. Bob: My guest on today's podcast has been on a really interesting journey over the past several years. Bill Palmer is a successful executive coach and management consultant who lives in Oakland, California. After a personal experience with a loved one who died while being supported by an excellent hospice organization, Bill was inspired to come home to Oakland and start volunteering with other people on hospice. And then he began hosting Death Cafes. To date, Bill's hosted over 75 Death Cafes for members of his community up in Oakland. If you're not familiar with Death Cafes, you will be after listening to this very informative podcast. Bill has had incredible insights through many, many hours spent with hundreds of people openly discussing death and dying. From the very practical aspects to the emotional and spiritual issues. On this podcast, he shares some of the insights that he's gained with us. I believe this can help you become more comfortable having those meaningful and really important conversations that you should be having with your loved ones and with yourself. I hope you're as grateful for these insights and reminders as I was, as I was speaking to them. Bill, thank you so much for being willing to spend some time with us and share a bit of your experience and knowledge with the listeners. Bill Palmer: Sure you're welcome. Dr. Bob: You have an interesting life, I'm assuming. For some reason, you have chosen to dedicate yourself to helping people get more comfortable talking about death. How did that come about? What was the ... My understanding is that you're a business coach and that you're coaching people through different aspects of business and leadership. How do you become a Death Cafe leader from that place? What was your journey? Bill Palmer: The journey really started actually, quite a few years ago when my mother was admitted as a hospice patient in Florida. She received incredibly good care at the Hospice of Palm Beach County where she lived at the time. As a business coach, and as an organizational development consultant, I was struck mostly by the wonderful care that she and my family received, but I was also struck by the incredible business alignment and sense of higher purpose in that hospice. At the time, I thought it was unique. And since then I volunteered in several different hospices. I found that to be more the rule than the exception. Somehow, rather, and I don't recall exactly how I came across a guy named John Underwood who lived in London, and who was the founder of Death Café. It just seemed like a great idea to me at the time. I became a hospice volunteer because I wanted to give something back. It didn't especially require any special skill to be a hospice volunteer. Sometimes just sitting with somebody, visiting, doing a respite visit something like that. But Death Cafe appealed to me because I could bring to bear some of the skills that I feel I have in terms of leading groups and speaking with individuals in an open and honest and kind of free, willing environment. So, I decided I would take John's advice and example and do a Death Café, which is actually pretty easy to do. Dr. Bob: You have the model, right? He shared the model with you and ... From my understanding ... Tell us what a Death Cafe for people who don't really understand it. Bill Palmer: Well, first of all, there's a website called www.deathcafe.com, and it gives a full explanation not only of what a Death Cafe is but how to start one if you want to in your own community. A Death Cafe is simply a free and open ... Free meaning there's no fee to attend, a group meeting of people, whoever wants to come, who want to talk about any aspect of death that interests them. That could be anything from where do I get a will to, deep philosophical and religious concerns to, what are the regulations about scattering ashes to, my companion died 40 years ago and I'm still grieving to, my spouse died last week and I feel nothing. There's an incredible richness of experience and this is going to sound really strange, but they're actually fun. There's a lot of laughter in a Death Cafe. Some of that laughter is just nervousness about speaking about a taboo subject, but some of it is just appreciation of life. If I could make one generalization about the Death Cafes, people leave feeling strongly that what they're doing in their lives right now, whether they're close to death or whether they feel like they're very far away, takes on an added significance if they can find a way to accept the fact that we're all going to die. One thing that surprised me about the 75 Death Cafes I've led is the number of people who apparently, intelligent, responsible, normal people who actually don't really think they're going to die. Dr. Bob: They certainly act like that, right? Bill Palmer: Yeah. Like I said, responsible, taxpaying, voting, civic-minded people who don't have a will, who don't have an advanced care directive, who've never discussed their wishes for their care towards the end of their lives. It is just an indication of the power of the taboo that people who in most every other aspect of their lives behave quite responsibly. But in this one area, even after they see and hear about the chaos that ensues if you die without a will, if you die without an advanced care directive, if you die or become disabled, even after they hear stories about that, it doesn't seem to get them. Dr. Bob: Do you think that people are denying that they're going to die or that they just think somehow things are going to work out? They just don't want to ... They don't feel like they need to do the preparation because things just have a way of working out? Bill Palmer: Well, I guess on an intellectual level, of course, they know they're going to die. But I think on some kind of emotional level, like a child, they don't really believe it. But I think it's probably a little bit of both, is just if you've never sat down and filled out an advance care directives, and you're using a good one, I'd ask some pretty tough questions. For example, if you don't really know what resuscitation is like, you might think sure, resuscitate me. And if you find out what resuscitation is actually really like in many cases, you might decide something very different. Dr. Bob: Right, in most cases. I think people, they watch TV shows, they watch ER or St. Elsewhere, these shows that depict somebody having a cardiac arrest. They do a couple of things and then a few seconds later they sit up and everyone's relieved, and it doesn't depict the absolute horror that ensues when somebody's doing chest compressions and ribs are breaking, and there's virtually no chance of survival in the vast majority of cases. So, yeah, are those kinds of things discussed even at that kind of graphic level? Are people open to hearing those kinds of things when they show up for the Death Cafes? Bill Palmer: Yeah, I think so. Anyone who leads a Death Cafe, including myself, leads it with a very light touch. There's no schedule of activities. There are no small groups. There are no icebreakers or anything like that. It's just open conversation. If somebody brings that up, people listen, and I think people are affected by it. There is a great deal of information that gets shared. A common statement is, my family won't discuss my death with me. I will or someone else in the group will say, "Well, here are some great resources." The conversation project, for example, can give you some tips and guidelines and do's and don'ts for, how do you have this conversation with people that don't want to talk about it? It's not an easy thing. So, I think there's that and there's a sense of comfort and community and that people find out well, gosh, I'm not alone in this. Other people feel this way too, or are afraid of the same thing, or have had a similar experience. I think it's comforting to people. Dr. Bob: Yeah. Oh, it's rich, and like you say, it's a safe space. Interestingly, I haven't been to one for a bit, but when I went to a few Death Cafes here in San Diego, and they did break up into small groups like four people and then there were some sample questions to stimulate conversation. There was a little bit of discussion as a group. I think as I remember, representatives from the small groups talked about some of the insights that came out. But I felt like there were so many people in the room, there were maybe 50 to 60 people in the room, and I felt like we missed getting the insight from more people in that space. So, I feel like maybe the open format like you're describing could be even more effective if everybody who wants to speak has a chance to. Bill Palmer: Well, anyone who's interested in starting a Death Cafe can read on the Death Cafe website, very specific and clear instructions for leading one. I think that if someone is fortunate enough to get 50 or 60 people at a Death Cafe, that's nice, but I think it's an unwieldy number. I know that I've always limited the attendance of Death Cafe to 20. Even at 20, it can be a bit unwieldy. So, I think the smaller group dynamic works. I know I was asked to help with a Death Cafe that was being sponsored in a retirement community here in the East Bay in California. 40, 50 people showed up. Yeah, we split up into small groups, but it just wasn't as satisfying. It is just really difficult to manage. If anybody's considering doing it, I would strongly recommend that you limit the attendance. You can use a website like Eventbrite which is a free ... It's like Evite, or Eventbrite, one, they're pretty much the same. You can invite people to purchase free tickets, or just sign up for registration. Then you can limit it to 15 or 20. Dr. Bob: How did you go about finding a location? Because if you're there's no fee, I'm assuming you've done 75 of these, I'm assuming that you're trying to avoid spending a lot of your own money on these. Is there money available from any organization to help defray costs of putting these on? Bill Palmer: Actually, to be specific, The Death Cafe, you can charge a fee if it's to reimburse the cost. For example, if you rent some space or if you provide some refreshments, you can recoup the cost with nominal fees. I was very fortunate. There's a funeral home here in Oakland called Chapel of the Chimes. They have a long, long history of community involvement and a beautiful setting. They have a lovely acreage and their buildings are fantastic. They have a high commitment to community service. So, I called him up and I said, "Would you sponsor a Death Cafe? I.e. give us free publicity, give us free space?" They said, "Yeah, we'll do that, and we'll also provide coffee and cookies and donuts for you. Because it's right in line with the way that we want to be involved with the community." Death Cafe Oakland gets free space and a little bit of free publicity. They get 20 people a month walking in there who maybe otherwise wouldn't know about Chapel of the Chimes. They've just been great to us. Churches are likely spots, community centers are likely spots. Synagogues are likely spots, and funeral homes I think. There's an obvious disincentive for certain people, well, I don't want to go to a funeral home ever for any reason, but it's worked for us very well. Dr. Bob: Right? Well, my sense ... So, a great alignment, it seems like a great partnership as long as everybody's approaching it with the right intention, and it's comfortable. You don't want to partner with somebody who's going to be pushy and pushing their services. It sounds like that's clearly not happening. But the people who are coming to Death Cafes are probably the same people who don't mind walking into a funeral home. Bill Palmer: That's probable. Dr. Bob: You've got a bit of a self-selected group. Well, that's helpful. I appreciate that. So, you've done 75 of the Death Cafes. When was your first one? Do remember- Bill Palmer: March, of 2013. We actually had our 76th last night. Dr. Bob: Fantastic. So, you've spent 76, and then they're probably what, an hour and a half to two hours each? Bill Palmer: Two hours, yeah. Dr. Bob: Okay. You've had a lot of time to hear people sharing. I'm sure that you are well aware of some of the gaps and the challenges and the struggles around living and dying. Can you share some of the top insights that you've gained from the experience, and offer some of those to the listeners? Bill Palmer: I've thought about this a lot. Something that jumps out at me is that how we die in America is largely a function of race and wealth. Death Cafe in Oakland or the part of Oakland that we're in is a very different thing than a Death Cafe might be in a very different part of Oakland. That jumps out at me constantly. Another thing that jumps out at me is, we live in a secular world, many of us do. Certainly, here in California, at least in the East Bay, in the Bay Area. I'm not sure that that's a bad thing but another thing that jumps out at me is that the loss of rituals, of customs, and community, most religions supply ... Things are taking their place but if you look at the Jewish religion, or you look at Islam, or you look at Catholicism, really any of the major world's religions, Hindu, there are very specific rituals and customs around death that are a comfort, and that allow people to navigate or at least help them to navigate through what is painful and difficult. So, I think that a lot of the interest in Death Cafe and in the conversation around death, it's much larger than Death Café, is around some of the loss of those rituals and the lack of replacements for them. Dr. Bob: I started to write down the statement because I'm sure it was going to be something really valuable. Could you finish the statement, the loss of rituals, customs and community around the time of death has- Bill Palmer: Left a vacuum where people are alone. They don't have a way to navigate through that first, terrible few days, weeks, months. I just think it makes it harder. Dr. Bob: It's a vacuum, I can see that. So, people were coming to the Death Cafes in part to help to fill that void, that vacuum, or because they're afraid that that will be there? Bill Palmer: Yeah, I think on two levels. One is simply, what are rituals that I could participate in that I no longer an observant and fill in the blank. Catholic or Jew or Muslim or whatever. There are rituals that people have created in this country or reinvented in this country about dying at home, and how to care for the body of someone who has just died, against the medicalization and hospitalization, and institutionalization of death. So, I think it's both those things. Some of it is just information. What am I supposed to do? Where can I go to find some community around it? Dr. Bob: The practical issues that can really lead to a lot of stress and anxiety if they're not addressed or planned for. Bill Palmer: Yeah, exactly. Dr. Bob: Any other big insights that are jumping out for you? Bill Palmer: Unfinished business. I can't tell you. I haven't done an exact count, but probably in the 75 Death Cafes, we've had, oh gosh, 500, 600 people come through there. What I constantly hear is five years, 10 years, 20 years after someone died, that the unfinished business that I had with that person haunts me. I never forgave them, or they never forgave me. I had a sister, brothers, spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, and I never resolved what it was that drove us apart. To me, unfinished business in our relationships is the gasoline that gets thrown on the fire of grief. It just makes it all that much worse because you can't fix it once they're gone, they're gone. So, that's something that I hear over and over again. Dr. Bob: Do you offer resources ... it seems to me like ... I think one of the things that felt a little bit dissatisfying for me about the Death Cafes, was that there were people who are clearly looking for support and needing additional help and resources, and there wasn't ... Because it's not promotional, you're not giving out pamphlets or directing people specifically to resources. It feels like there would be an opportunity to bring in some experts and to have people bring in their specific questions to get that kind of guidance. What's the thinking on that? Bill Palmer: Well, I think the thinking is, and it may be flawed is that, above all, John Underwood the founder of Death Cafe did not want to commercialize. I've had any number of invitations from perfectly respectable, fine people who have a book, they have a program they have this, that or the other thing, and they want to come in and in effect, make a sales pitch. Under normal circumstances, I'd say that'd be fine. But I think it leaves us open to having to vet them, having to know what they say. My solution has been to, I've created a Facebook page for Death Cafe Oakland. I post resources there. If somebody says, "Well, gee, how do I start this conversation with my spouse?" I can mention the conversation project. I can also tell people to look on that Facebook page, which is open to the public. You don't have to have attended Death Cafe Oakland to see it. You can find wills, you can find an Advance Care Directive. You can find lots and lots of research. So, I agree with you that the one thing I do specify is that, and I say this at the beginning of every Death Café, is this is not grief counseling. So, if you're grieving, what I say is, please talk about if you want to, we will support you, but it's not grief counseling in the sense that I personally cannot offer you continuing support. Dr. Bob: Yes, it's not a support group. It's a forum, right? With a lot of people coming for different reasons? Bill Palmer: Right. I can refer them ... They can do a Google search as easily as I can on bereavement groups. There's many of them. But I agree with you, my solution is a bit of a compromise, and hopefully, it's workable, but probably every single person who ever came to Death Cafe Oakland who wanted a specific resource for a specific need sometimes didn't get it. Dr. Bob: You're staying true to a mission and that's honorable and it makes sense because you could open it up for all kinds of challenges if you don't keep the boundaries clear, and you're providing ... Again, you're doing this all as a volunteer, right? You have a career and you have to divide your time between things that allow you to pursue that and to ... I really applaud you, commend you for your passion and commitment to this. It's really remarkable. Bill Palmer: The irony is I get more than I give. I appreciate you for saying that, thank you. Dr. Bob: Just to quickly follow up on that, what have you gotten? How has it changed you to have this experience and to be part of this movement? Bill Palmer: Well on a very practical level, to avoid any hint of hypocrisy, I have filled out every form known to humanity with regard to my death, and I'm closer in terms of age, I've got a lot more behind me than I do ahead of me. I think that what I've gotten, the most valuable thing I've gotten about that is, if not an acceptance of it, but a clear idea of, if I have my way, how I want it to go to know exactly what I think is right for me in terms of end of life care. If I'm not able to make decisions or to be mentally competent, a great deal of faith in the agreements that I have with my family, specifically my daughter and my son, who I 100% trust will carry out my wishes should I not be able to act on my own. So, that's a huge gift, that really is. Just the incredible richness and variety of the people who show up, I'm always interested in groups of people. I'm never bored in a group because I'm always watching to see and hear and feel what's going on, and they never disappoint me. It's always fascinating. Dr. Bob: Yeah, I couldn't agree more, especially when they're talking about issues that are so vital and important to them. Do you still have any fear or concerns about what lies ahead for you? Bill Palmer: Sure. I think the idea of gradually losing capabilities is what bothers me and bothers most people that I talk to. Not that I'll be dead, but that I won't be able to move, or I won't be able to speak, or I won't be able to hear, or see, and then that gradual loss of capability, of mobility. Of course, I'm afraid of that. I've also been a hospice volunteer and seen people who seem to live with a quality of life, whose lost a lot. So, I take a little comfort in that. But yeah, that scares me. Dr. Bob: That is such an interesting awareness, right? That some people when they lose certain capabilities, certain degrees of independence, when they're dealing with challenges, some people are ready to die because they've lost these things and it's intolerable for them and they're ready to check out as soon as possible. Then there are others who just handle it with such grace and acceptance and even joy. I don't know what the secret formula is, I'm looking for it. Because I want to be able to A, have it for myself, and B, be able to prescribe it for my patients. But it's such a unique individual, I guess, a way of being in the world. I try to figure it out, but I haven't been able to, and I'm still working on that. Bill Palmer: Let me know when you do. Dr. Bob: Yeah, I will. You'll be one of the first ones. As far as ... I think most of us share a little bit of the fear of the unknown of what's coming. I guess one of the things that I'm really passionate about now is helping to give people a greater sense of understanding, a greater sense of control over the circumstances that they may find themselves in. Part of that is by doing all the right preparation, filling out all the right paperwork, having the conversations with those who will be responsible for making those decisions if you can't. But also, I think ... Do you feel like you have a medical team, do you feel like you have a physician who if and when things become really challenging or intolerable for you, will engage at the level that you need to support you through that difficult challenging last journey? Bill Palmer: Yeah, I do. I am a Kaiser Permanente member. And one of the criteria for my primary care physician that I insisted on was somebody who would not only understand my wishes about that but who would act upon them. The interviews that I did, I found a physician who I'm reasonably certain will honor my wishes. My advanced care directive is scanned into my medical record there... it's a crapshoot a little bit- Dr. Bob: A little bit, it always is. Bill Palmer: You fall down on the street and nobody knows who you are, and they take you to whatever hospital, the ER people are bound by law and by custom to do everything that they can to resuscitate you. Is there a chance it could all go sideways? Yeah, but I feel like ... I've taken every precaution I could to try to make it go the way that I want, and my physician she seems like she's just fine with it. So that's important. Dr. Bob: Well, let's hope whenever it happens, many many years in the future, she'll probably be retired, and you'll have to have a new person who comes on ... I guess that's a good reason to try to find younger doctors so that you connect with. Well, this has been great. I feel like we've given people a great overview of what the Death Cafes are designed to do, and hopefully given some insight into where some of the challenges and struggles people face are, and how to try to mitigate those. I appreciate your time. If you have any burning thoughts that you want to share before we sign off, I am all ears. If you feel like you're complete with what we've discussed, that's totally cool too. Bill Palmer: No burning thoughts, but I want to thank you for the time, and for your thoughtful questions and statements. It was great to connect with you and someday, some way I hope our paths will cross. Thank you again. Dr. Bob: Thank you, Bill. Bill Palmer, founder and curator of Death Cafe Oakland, and I'm sure our paths will cross hopefully fairly soon.

Join Paul T. Carney as he welcomes his next guest to the Sides Podcast, Justin Magnuson.  Justin is a massage therapist at Apex Massage, past president of the Kentucky Chapter of the AMTA, a founder of the Before I Die Festival, a host of local Death Cafes, and works with the UofL Institute for Sustainable Health & Optimal Aging. For more information: https://www.optimalaginginstitute.org http://deathcafe.com https://www.facebook.com/justin.magnuson.5 http://www.beforeidielou.com http://apexmassage.net/staffmember/  

In attempt to combat the heatwave, we’re taking a trip to Antartica for John Carpenter’s The Thing, in which Kurt Russell plies his computer with drink, Jed the dog gives an Oscar-worthy performance and the mysterious underwear vandal is yet to be caught! Along the way we discuss Death Cafes, the audio adaptation of Clive Barker’s “The Hellbound Heart”, Lee and Chris open their birthday presents and a mysterious card arrives... Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.

Shannon Geis brings us a story about Death Cafes. Kevin Richards band Equine brings the song Variation 2 from Camphor Jenny_Lynn Ellis reads her essay The Writing Cat The music of Lee Rosevere, Dana Boule and  Chris Zabriskie was used to score the pieces in today's show. You can check out their music and much, … Continue reading "Episode Twenty: Breathe In, Breathe Out"

Shannon Geis brings us a story about Death Cafes. Kevin Richards band Equine brings the song Variation 2 from Camphor Jenny_Lynn Ellis reads her essay The Writing Cat The music of Lee Rosevere, Dana Boule and  Chris Zabriskie was used to score the pieces in today’s show. You can check out their music and much, … Continue reading "Episode Twenty: Breathe In, Breathe Out"

Shannon Geis brings us a story about Death Cafes. Kevin Richards band Equine brings the song Variation 2 from Camphor Jenny_Lynn Ellis reads her essay The Writing Cat The music of Lee Rosevere, Dana Boule and  Chris Zabriskie was used to score the pieces in today’s show. You can check out their music and much, … Continue reading "Episode Twenty: Breathe In, Breathe Out"

In which I have a glass of wine and ramble about being featured on The Virtual Couch, attending a Death Cafe, and reading my new favorite book about grief. Incoming links: click away! The Virtual Couch Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-virtual-couch/id1275153998?mt=2 You can download the first chapter of Ty Alexander's book here! http://gorgeousingrey.com/things-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-mom-died-chapter-1-download/ Death Cafe: http://deathcafe.com/ The Dinner Party: http://thedinnerparty.org/ Music composed by Alvarokid - HookSounds.com

After Nancy Reece Jones' mom died, she realized she needed to talk more about death, about how to have a good one, about how to be kind to others who also need to talk. Maybe all of us should say what we want to say about the inevitable over tea and cookies. Turns out there's a movement for that and it's called the Death Cafe. Reporters Katheryn Houghton and Nicky Ouellet visited the Flathead Valley's cafe and talked to the living about death. Also: Nicky is back with this episode's short feature, a story about a Whitefish '80s cover band with dreams to blow it up, maybe even pay rent or play Vegas. It's a story about ambition, punctuated with some killer kick drums.

Dr. Death and The Humorist discuss Death Cafes: what it is, where to find one and what you need to hold your own - NOTE: A dead body is NOT required. :-)

Today we explore the complex emotions that surround the idea of death and mortality. Death is something that preoccupies all of us, so why is it so difficult to talk about? Does the fear of death affect peoples motivation to be the best they can be? We discuss all this and more in todays episode.

Jon Underwood is the innovative & inspirational founder of the Death Cafe movement. A non-profit initiative getting people together to discuss mortality. It has really captured the public's imagination. Currently, there are over 3,000 Death Cafes in 35 countries around the world and it's growing. Jon explains its origins and shares his other initiatives such as a review site for funeral services and his work with the UK's NHS. deathcafe.com funeraladvisor.org.uk dyingmatters.org impermanenceatwork.org

Why are Death Cafes opening up all over the country? Karen Van Dyke talks about how these cafes help to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.

Why are Death Cafes opening up all over the country? Karen Van Dyke talks about how these cafes help to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.

Alan Dein meets doulas in Lewes in Sussex - people working in palliative care from all walks of life who have learned how to be companions for people who are dying. They also are involved in consciousness-raising about the end of life and run Death Cafes in Lewes. We follow doulas Polly and Jane as they reveal their motivation for being involved in this work, talk to people about end of life directives, and describe what a doula does in the room of a dying person. Producer: Sara Conkey.