Death Cafe was created in 2011 when Jon Underwood from London, England held his first Death Cafe in his home with his mother. The goal was increasing the awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. This concept was first conceived by Bernard Crettaz a Swiss sociologist and Jon modeled his Death Cafe after Crettaz’s work. Today Death Cafe is a world wide nonprofit model lead by individual Death Cafe’s across the world. There is no agenda, theme or intent to lead participants to any particular conclusion, product or action. It is not a therapy or grief group. However, it is a group for those curious about death, those wanting to remove fear around death, and simply normalize a taboo subject. Death Cafe is a place where we come together with coffee/tea and cake.
Death Cafe’s Website: https://deathcafe.com/what/
What to Expect
We will open Death Cafe with coffee, tea and cake 30 minutes prior to the start of our session. Starting with a brief 5 min meditation to open space. We then transition to a quick introduction, and move to opening space for the topics on the participants minds. Closing with a brief grounding mediation, and a beautiful send off until we meet again.
About Your Host: Sara Anondson
Sara is a certified Death Doula in her private practice and for a local hospice, walking the end of life journey with her clients and their families. She also serves the community as a minister, spiritual coach, business mentor, holistic practitioner and teacher, and more. She brings a well rounded approach to her many offerings, events and workshops. Sara has been facilitating Death Cafe for more than a year in the Twin Cities at various locations, and she is excited to partner with Lakewood Cemetery to bring you this fabulous event in the heart of the Twin Cities. If you haven’t been to the Welcome Center you will love this beautiful facility. We look forward to welcoming you, and walking this journey together.
A Note About Content
Death Cafe is about opening conversations and education around topics in death and dying. Subject matter may be difficult for some, especially those who have experienced a recent loss, so please feel free to engage however you are comfortable, and leave at any point. Death Cafe is not a grief support group. If you are looking for grief specific events, please visit our Grief and Remembrance page.
The Lakewood Welcome Center
This event takes place in the Community Room in the Welcome Center at Lakewood. This beautiful, state-of-the-art building provides a warm and sunny backdrop for community events, in addition to offering quiet space for families to gather and make arrangements for end-of-life.
Parking and Transportation
Driving Directions
Parking is available on any of the roads inside Lakewood’s gates unless otherwise noted with a no parking sign. Handicap parking will be available near the Chapel as well as the Welcome Center. Lakewood does not have an onsite parking lot – it is street parking only. This means you may have to park a short distance away and walk. We strongly encourage carpooling and public transportation.
Bus Directions
Metro Transit lines 6 and 23 stop directly outside of Lakewood’s gates, a short walk to the Memorial Chapel and the Welcome Center.
Bike Directions
Please lock bikes at the rack near the main entrance gates and walk to the Welcome Center. Do not lock bikes to trees or signs, leave bicycles unlocked on the grounds., or leave shared bikes or scooters overnight.
Questions?
For questions about the event, call Lakewood at 612-540-5165 or email events@lakewoodcemetery.org.
