Jeanne Burke will host a Death Café for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community Jan. 14, at the Library at The San Diego LGBT Community Centre, 3909 Centre Street in San Diego, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The first was held in December and was received with significant interest and enthusiasm. The objective of a Death Café is to increase awareness of death, with a view “to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” The Death Café is not a therapy or a grief group. It is a pop-up event to facilitate open discussion about death and dying; attended by individuals who are searching to understand more about living life by understanding death. They are lively, interesting conversations in a safe environment. Plus there’s cake!
Due to the LGBTQI community’s unique experience within health care settings, aging and end-of-life talking about death and dying is often challenging. This Death Café allows members of the LGBTQI community to meet in a safe space to discuss their experiences and questions openly, without fear of judgment.
Inspired by Bernard Crettaz, Jon Underwood, from London, conceived of the model of the “Death Cafe” in 2011. Lizzy Miles, brought the Death Cafe to the United States (Columbus, OH) in 2012. The first Death Café in San Diego was hosted in May 2013 by Karen Van Dyke, who remains instrumental in the growth of Death Cafés in the area. Death Café San Diego has been featured on KPBS and is seeing growing interest around the world.
Due to the nature of the conversation and limited seats, attendees are asked to RSVP and arrive within 10 minutes of the start time. The response to this Café has been significant and a waiting list will be developed for a Death Café for the LGBTQI Community (to be held in January.)
Jeanne Burke began working in end of life care in 2007 and continued that work when she moved to San Diego in 2009. She is a passionate advocate and educator; consulting and coaching individuals and families on preparing for illness or end of life. Jeanne seeks to improve understanding of death, dying and end of life within the LGBTQ community and to improve healthcare providers understanding of how to compassionately care for and relate to their LGBTQI patients and families.
For more information: LGBTQIDeathCafe@jeanneburke.com
