Conversations about death can often be very tricky (and ones a lot of us tend to avoid!) – but one SA community has decided a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake can help to get them started.
The ‘death café’ movement was sparked by the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz and developed in the UK. Nearly 10,000 ‘café sessions’ have been held internationally since 2011.
Now, some residents of Walkerville, Adelaide have started their own version (with some funding help from SA Health).
Adelaide’s ‘death café’ organiser, Rhonda Smedley, says it has provided space for people to talk “in a familiar environment about something that is deeply personal” – to openly discuss the practical, spiritual and emotional considerations around dying.
“Two hours to have a conversation with people you might not even know. You come away feeling energised, alive and strangers now become friends”, she told The ABC.
The Adelaide death café is running three events, which the SA Health Department says is part of a broader plan to improve aged care and palliative services across the state.
We think it’s a fantastic idea – healthy, open conversations about such an important topic should always be encouraged.
