✨The "Good Death" Discussion

Our CCRC just started a group entitled "Let's Talk About Death." The registration filled up immediately and there is a waiting list. The group has met once and is sure to continue on an ongoing basis. Since it is an open discussion format, we had to limit each group to 10 participants at any one meeting. Lots of interest here.

A Death Cafe is a group-directed gathering where people, often over tea and cake, come together in a relaxed and open environment to discuss death, dying, and mortality with no agenda, objectives, or intention to lead participants toward any specific conclusion.

Maura Conry

NaCCRA Forum

Thanks, Maura! At Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads (Falls Church, VA), we offer Death Cafe twice a month--once on the afternoon of First Sunday, once on the late morning of the Fourth Thursday (with microphones). We started in 2023 with one facilitator and one session; we now have two sessions and two facilitators, who rotate through the sessions. We follow the classic Death Cafe model (see deathcafe.com). Our usual attendance is about 15 for the Sunday session and about 8 for the Thursday. In addition, we sometimes refer people to other Death Cafes that are geographically nearby.

Diane Ullius

I have been pleasantly surprised by the ones I have attended. My experience was upbeat. Friends speaking candidly about their personal experiences and concerns. It was an opportunity to get to know my fellow residents on a much more intimate level.

Richmond Shreve

NaCCRA Board Member & VP

Forum Moderator