PEI

Death café explores subject of dying

A café to help people talk about death and their fear of dying is set to be held in Summerside, P.E.I. Nov. 15.

Participants will discuss death in small groups facilitated by professionals

A death café will discuss the subject and the fears people have about dying. (AFP/Getty Images)

A café to help people talk about death and their fear of dying is set to be held in Summerside, P.E.I., on Nov. 15. 

It's not a grief group said Patti Arsenault, Hospice PEI co-ordinator for East Prince.

"There is so much fear around something that is so humanly natural. That we have the awareness that we are dying, 
it's pretty profound... I'd like the awareness and the fear, I'd like to turn that to peace and acceptance."

Death cafés are happening around the world and across Canada, Arsenault noted. 

P.E.I.'s first gathering will take place at Samuel's Coffee House — participants will gather in small groups with facilitators, including a doctor, a retired hospice nurse, a religious studies professor, a minister and a musician to talk about death. 

Afterward, the group will share a report on the death café website. 

Arsenault hopes more death cafes will be held on P.E.I. in the future.