Dying for coffee, anyone? Cambridge’s latest Death Cafe promises to be lively

Event with Arthur Rank Hospice marks Dying Matters Awareness Week

An event with a difference will aim to inspire the people of Cambridge with ‘A Lively Look at Death and Dying’.

The Death Cafe event will take place from 10am until 4.30pm on May 12 at Arthur Rank Hospice, which is joint organiser.

There will be a mixture of talks and informal conversations on a range of subjects including grief and loss, the dying process, the power of touch, soul midwifery and more.

It’s part of Dying Matters Awareness Week, and follows the success of Cambridge’s Death Cafés, and last year’s Dying for Life festival, which more than 100 people attended.

Penny Hall, one of the event organisers, said: “Death Cafés have been happening in Cambridge for two and half years now and, in our culture where these issues are still largely taboo, they are clearly meeting a need in getting people to talk about death and dying, although in the end the conversations often end up being about life and living.

“The cafés are always busy with a mixture of new people trying it out and people who’ve been coming along since the beginning.

“For me, there’s something about remembering that I’m going to die that makes me feel more alive right now, knowing that it’s not going to be forever. I think there can often be a sense of relief in talking about these things with people who you know are open to these conversations and aren’t going to try to fix anything.

“Talking openly about things that really matter to us seems to lead to a real sense of community and connection.”

Donna Talbot, director of fundraising and communications at the Arthur Rank Hospice, said: “Many people greatly appreciate the opportunity to find out more around the intricacies of planning for the future and many find comfort from being able to convey their choices and desires to those close to them. We hope this occasion will help to answer questions but also create valuable conversations amongst the people it welcomes.”

This year’s event is sponsored by Woodland Wishes Natural Burials and Thomson Webb and Corfield Solicitors.

Find out more at dyingforlife.co.uk.

There are also Death Cafés running throughout the year in Cambridge. Find out more information at facebook.com/DeathCafeCambridge.