The northern rivers is part of a global movement actively challenging and improving on the way we deal with death, dying and funerals.
Local grief and bereavement counsellor Kylie Duncan is part of the Natural Death Care Centre (www.naturaldeathcentre.org.au) and is hosting the region’s first Death Café.
At Death Cafés, people come together in a relaxed and safe setting to discuss death, drink tea and eat delicious cake. The objective of a Death Café is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their finite lives.
‘Death is a taboo subject in our society and most of us carry a lot of fear about death,’ says Kylie. ‘It is not easy to talk about death and dying even when it is the natural end of our lives.
‘I think talking openly about it helps to reclaim it as a rite of passage, dispel the fear of death and put us in touch with what is most important.’
Death Cafés are open to anyone wanting to talk about death and dying in a casual and supportive environment. This Byron event is to be held tomorrow (Wednesday July 3), 5.45–8pm.
Bookings are essential. Complimentary tea, cake and soup are available. Call Kylie on 0423 614 685 to register – location provided on registration.
For more information on Death Cafés, check out www.deathcafe.com.
Death is also on the menu on July 13 when local marriage and funeral celebrant Zenith Virago conducts a workshop, ‘Death and Dying Matters’, at Mullumbimby Civic Hall, 10am–4pm.
Contact Jenny on 4276 3433 or [email protected].
Brilliant – in a macabre sort of way! Getting people to talk about their deepest feelings in a light-hearted atmosphere is very clever and sure to invite a new spirit of courageous and honest communication between people. Bravo!