Common Street Spiritual Center

Death Café - A space for open, respectful conversations about death
2026-03-12 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Meeting Room of CSSC
What is a Death Café?

A Death Café is a facilitated gathering where people come together to talk openly about death, dying, and mortality.
The goal is to increase awareness of death in order to help people make the most of their lives.

There is no set agenda. Conversation is participant-led and guided by curiosity, listening, and mutual respect.

What a Death Café Is
•A welcoming, confidential space for conversation
•A place to share thoughts, questions, stories, and reflections about death
•Open to anyone, regardless of beliefs or background
•Based on respect, listening, and equality among participants
•A non-commercial space – no products, services, or businesses will be promoted

What a Death Café Is Not
•Not grief counseling or group therapy
•Not a support group
•Not a place for medical, legal, or financial advice
•Not affiliated with any religion, ideology, or belief system
•Not about persuading others how to think or feel
•Not a venue for promotion of any business or service

A Brief History
Death Café originated in 2004 with Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, who created informal gatherings called Cafés Mortels.
In 2011, Jon Underwood brought the concept to the UK, where it became known as Death Café.
Since then, Death Cafés have spread worldwide as a grassroots movement, held in homes, libraries, cafés, community centers, and online.

What to Expect
•Open conversation
•A respectful, non-judgmental atmosphere
•Tea and cookies will be served

This is purely a conversational space, with no intention to sell, persuade, or lead participants to any particular conclusion.

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/preparing-to-meet-your-maker-plus-cake-the-life-of-a-death-cafe/
