Events

The Death Café movement began in 2011, inspired by the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, and was brought into the wider world by Jon Underwood and Sue Barsky Reid in the UK. What started as a simple gathering — people coming together to speak honestly about death — has since grown into a worldwide movement. Today, Death Cafés are held in more than 80 countries, in spaces as varied as cozy living rooms, libraries, cafés, and community centers. Each one is unique, shaped by the people who attend, but all share the same gentle purpose: to create space for open conversation about death, not as something to fear, but as a natural part of being human.

A Death Café is a warm, informal gathering where people come together over tea and community to explore thoughts, questions, and feelings around death and dying. It isn’t therapy or a grief support group, and there’s no agenda or expectation — just an open, respectful space to listen, share, and reflect. As a Death Midwife, I see these gatherings as a beautiful way to soften the silence that so often surrounds death, and to invite connection, curiosity, and comfort. In speaking openly about death, we often find ourselves feeling more present, more alive, and a little less alone.

It is my intention to hold a Death Café each season here in Cooperstown, creating an ever-evolving community around these conversations. If we can continue to gather, listen, and share together, I truly believe something deeply connective can occur. My hope is to gently shift the way we care for one another during life’s most tender and difficult moments, and to remind ourselves that none of us has to face them alone. The sense of community in Cooperstown is already so impressive at its core — I know we have the ability to collaborate and co-create something supportive, meaningful, and truly beautiful.