Death Cafe is 12!!
Posted by Jools Barsky
What an incredible milestone we've reached! It's hard to believe how swiftly the time has flown since our 6th birthday, which marked the first Death Cafe birthday video I made following Jon's death in 2017. Before that, I vividly recall being in Jon's living room in Hackney while he and our Mum, Susan Barsky Reid, hosted the inaugural Death Cafe in his basement on 25th September 2011. Staying aligned with Jon's original vision has been at the core of our endeavours since Susan and I took the reins in 2017. And continuing this movement wouldn't have been possible without key individuals who have helped me balance running Death Cafe alongside being a full-time medical student. I'd like to say a huge thank you to Susan's relentless dedication; she's been the backbone of Death Cafe listings moderation for about five years and a continual source of wise counsel. Megan Mooney, our indomitable Death Cafe Lead US, has been the beating heart of our Death Cafe Facebook page, keeping it fresh and answering your daily queries. Of course, none of this would be possible without you, our cherished community. Your steadfast support has helped us navigate these testing times. Your commitment to hosting Death Cafes that adhere to our guidelines and flagging the ones that don't is invaluable. The dialogues you facilitate—open, honest conversations about death over tea and delicious cake—are precisely what Jon envisioned and what we strive to continue. Your Patreon support has been vital too, allowing us to maintain the website, cover legal costs, and provide donations to team members. Stay tuned for an exciting update: our dear friends at Flexible Films have worked with us to create a Soul Film in memory of Jon. We'll be sharing it with our Patreon supporters first, so if you want a sneak peek, head over to the Death Cafe Patreon page and sign up. Sending so much love and gratitude on this special day for our community. Jools x