TEA, COFFEE, AND CAKE: LET'S TALK ABOUT DEATH
Death Positivity is the belief that death is a natural process that should be accepted rather than feared. Death Positivity advocates believe that by talking and learning openly about death, we can help erase the stigma surrounding it. They also argue that by talking about death, we can learn to live more fully and gain a greater sense of closure when someone close to us dies.
People who are positive about death often choose to celebrate the life of the person who has died rather than dwell on their death. Funerals are often associated with darkness, gloom, and sorrow. You can read more about the celebration of life here.
The Death Positivity movement, which you can read more about on our Myth-Busting Death Positivity blog, is a growing social phenomenon challenging how we think about death and dying.
"It is natural to die as to be born" – Francis Bacon
Through education, advocacy, and grassroots activism, the movement aims to change our cultural attitudes around mortality. This includes everything from working to destigmatize death and improve end-of-life care to creating a space for frank conversations about death and dying in everyday life. The movement's ultimate goal is to create a society in which everyone has the opportunity to die well.
New York City has long been considered one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world. It is also home to a burgeoning Death Positivity movement.
The New York Times saves space on its website to discuss Death Positivity. What does this mean? It means that the New York Times is exploring ways to make death a more open and public conversation.
Some articles discuss how to plan for death, what to do when a loved one dies, and how to talk about death with children. The section also includes obituaries, which are positively worded regarding death. Death is a natural process that happens to everyone. However, most people fear death and try to avoid it at all costs. This often leads to negative and unhealthy behaviors.
Accepting death can be a very positive experience. It allows us to live our life more fully and enjoy every moment. When we fear death, we live in the past or future. But when we accept death, we live in the present.
"Grief is the price we pay for love" — Queen Elizabeth II
And following this same narrative are Death Cafés, places where people can talk about death and dying in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. They are open to everyone, regardless of their beliefs about death. The goal of a Death Café is to raise awareness of death and help people talk about it openly and honestly.
The first Death Café was established in London in 2011. It was the brainchild of Jon Underwood and his mother, Sue Barsky Reid. Since then, Death Cafés have grown in popularity, and there are now over 1,500 worldwide.
The New York chapter of Death Cafe was founded in February 2018 by KaeLyn Rich and Lizzie Hargrave. Death Cafe New York meets monthly to discuss all things death. The group is open to anyone who wants to attend, regardless of their experience with death. You can find more information about virtual events at this link.
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