by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Death.
It’s a part of life.
But, it’s almost like a taboo subject.
To help people deal with talking about death, which everyone has to deal with, Julie Keon is hosting a Death Café.
“People get uncomfortable talking about it,” she said. “They think it’s morbid, or they had a negative experience with death growing up.”
Before the 1940s, most wakes and funerals took place at people’s homes, Ms. Keon noted.
“When they moved out of the home, people weren’t exposed to death,” she said. “Death is a normal part of life.”
Ms. Keon is hopeful this café will help those who have issues dealing with death, whether it be anxious, worried, or nervous just talking about it.
The Death Café is a place where people can talk about all aspects of death, whether it be how a person wants to die or how it’s a celebration of life, she said. There is no direction given at the café, she said.
This is Ms. Keon’s second time hosting a Death Café. At the first one, which was held in the fall, there were people of different religions and of course their own beliefs and views, she noted.
“It was a success,” she said. “There were about 10 people. You can learn a lot about death or if you are interested in learning how people think about death.”
Ms. Keon, who is a Life Celebrant, said she has always been comfortable about and around death. She recalled a high school teacher offering a death education course – it even included a trip to a funeral home in Ottawa.
“I’m surprised people are not comfortable with the fact they are going to die,” she said.
Ms. Keon knows there are people who aren’t living as well as they could be because they are afraid of dying or they think they have forever to do the things they want to do.
“Don’t wait for next year because next year may never come,” Ms. Keon said.
She realizes a Death Café is new and different to Renfrew County, but she wants people to realize it’s okay to talk about death.
Ms. Keon noted at most Death Cafe’s there is tea, coffee and cake, which she will provide.
The Death Café is at the Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre in Cobden from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Jan. 24.
The event is free, but donations will be accepted to cover the rental of the space. There is no pre-registration.
“If you are intrigued by the concept of the death cafe, then come,” Ms. Keon said.
