Death cafés embraced by Calgary patrons
Cafés aim to give people a chance to discuss their own death and funeral
People looking for an opportunity to talk about the issues around dying are turning to death cafés.
About 30 people turned out for a gathering at the Hospice Calgary Sage Centre Sunday organized by Wendy Kurchak, who calls herself a death educator.
"People are hesitant to talk about death. It's almost like if I talk about it, it's going to happen. Well it's going to happen anyway."
The cafés aim to give people a chance to discuss their own death and funeral, as well as confront the difficulties that come with grieving for other people.
Pam Custer, who did not want to put her family through a funeral, said the cafés discussion gave her a different perspective.
"Now I realize that it doesn't give them an opportunity to grieve if you don't have some sort of service or something for them."
More bookings planned
The Death Café concept originated in Europe and is still new to Canada.
The first event was held in Victoria, B.C., in December 2012, followed by Calgary in 2013.
Death Café organizers will host an event in Toronto in June and Red Deer, Alta., in the summer.
Kurchak says there have been three cafés held in Calgary, and the last one was fully booked. She says she is receiving requests for more bookings.
"The definition of a funeral is changing, so there's really a need for something different … or complimentary … adding something on that really does justice to someone's true nature," said Jamie Whittaker, 32, who has already organized her funeral.