May Death Cafe
A write up of May Iowa Virtual Death Cafe
For our May Death Café Iowa we met on Zoom. Buffy Peters and Becca Suvalsky from the Bereavement Professionals Group facilitated the group. In total there were 14 people in attendance, 2 men and 12 women, and participants ranged in ages and professions. Several members had to jump off before we were able to take the picture. We had individuals join from California, Florida, Iowa, and Colorado. It has been really fun to meet different people from across the county that also want to talk about death. Several interesting topics were brought forward for discussion.
Topics included:
Alternative funerals: Several members shared examples of alternative funerals and how important it is to create rituals! Members shared personal stories and different ideas they had on how to do this. Member’s also shared different options for body disposition such as green burial, home funeral, and open air cremation.
Death Midwifery: We had a member join us that is a Death Midwife. She shared that she begins as a Death Doula and then continues with the family throughout the dying process. She walks beside the family and educates on what is to come. She also provides comfort and support to the dying. After the person has died she helps the family prepare the body and carries out the individuals wishes.
This is Actually Happening Podcast: Specifically episode 155 titled “What if you had to pull the plug”. Members shared what they think they would do in the situation.
Finding meaning: Members shared what legacy they want to leave behind when they die. When we don’t have the answer to something we search for the meaning and death is no different. None of us know exactly what will happen when we die. That is why it’s so important to think about what we want to do here on earth before we die. One member made a great point when she said “Would I want to do this in a year and if the answer is no then why am I doing it”.
It was such an interesting Death Café as we welcomed new members and familiar faces. We look forward to more interesting and insightful conversations in our next Zoom meeting June 16th!