Creating a Safe Space for Discussing Life and Mortality: Welcome to South Canterbury Death Cafe

Death Cafe South Canterbury -
​Timaru (est 2021)

​Hello, Kia Ora, and welcome to the South Canterbury Death Cafe.
​We meet around six weekly at Timaru Public Library on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Our Death Cafe is a place for people to talk about death so they can live more fully. We gather as equals to share our thoughts and experiences about death and dying without any set agenda. ​

Honoured to bring Death Cafe to Timaru in July 2021

We are a friendly, non-judgmental group. We all eventually face death, learning from one another to become more informed and at ease with the idea. We offer a thoughtful discussion about the end of life and share our experiences, thoughts, and fears.​​

Participants are encouraged to support each other without any specific conclusion, belief system, or course of action. Please bring an open mind and an open heart.

Our group offers a place to sit, relax, and engage in open-minded and open-hearted discussions about aging, dying, and death. We aim to help people make the most of their lives by embracing these hard conversations in a safe space.

Do you want to join our next cafe?   Contact  Jade  

Upcoming Timaru MEETING DATES 2024

Adults welcome, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion, faith, ethnicity, disability, or experience with death. Our conversations are open and respectful, providing a compassionate environment for everyone to express themselves freely.

Sunday 25th August  2:00pm ~ 3:30pm  at Timaru Public Library 
Sunday 6th October  2:00pm ~ 3:30pm  at Timaru Public Library 
Sunday 10th November  2:00pm ~ 3:30pm  at Timaru Public Library 

Join  Death Cafe South Canterbury 

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Our group does follow the protocols and outline of established global death cafes. 

​​We have discussed death doulas, death in different cultures, assisted dying, and near-death experiences (NDEs). At the first meeting, we discussed philosophy, the meaning of life, and our own experiences. The hot topics of our most recent meetings were green burials, ageing parents, and DIY coffins. The participants led the content of our discussion during the meeting.

​ At Death Cafe South Canterbury, we don't promote any particular conclusion, belief system or course of action.

IMPORTANT. It is not intended as a counselling group or grief support. It may not suit people who are recently bereaved or who are actively grieving.

WHAT IS A DEATH CAFE?
Death Cafe is a 'social franchise' which means that people who sign up follow the guidelines and principles of Death Cafe, 

A Death Cafe is a social gathering where people, often strangers, discuss death in a supportive and open environment. Jon Underwood and Sue Barsky Reid developed the concept in the UK in 2011, inspired by the work of Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist who started similar gatherings called "café mortel." 

The primary aim of a Death Cafe is to increase awareness of death and help people make the most of their (finite) lives. These gatherings provide a space for people to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to death and dying without any specific agenda or objectives beyond discussion. 

Typically, a Death Cafe is facilitated by someone who guides the conversation, ensuring everyone can speak if they wish. While the topic is serious, the atmosphere is often relaxed and informal, sometimes held in cafes or community centres, and participants may enjoy tea, coffee, and cake during the meeting.

​Death Cafes are not grief support or counselling sessions but rather a space for philosophical discussion and personal reflection on death and its impact on life. They are open to anyone, and there is no charge to attend, though donations may be requested to cover venue costs.

Death Cafes have spread quickly across Europe, North America, and Australasia. Since September 2011, there have been over 12,600 Death Cafes in 78 countries.

   👉​ Blog post on   death cafe

MEETING DETAILS
Our meetings are currently in Timaru, but if there is enought interest meetings can be in Lake Tekapo and Geraldine.

Contact Jade to be added to the Timaru Death Cafe newsletter. There are limited numbers, so you must book your space. Contact Jade by phone, or email here 
​
Everyone is welcome, but because of our conversations,  unfortunately, it is NOT suitable those under 18 years

   👉​ All you need to know   death cafe

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