What Is a Death Café?
A Death Café is not a restaurant or coffee shop. It is a gathering where people sit together over tea, coffee, and something sweet to talk about a subject that most of us usually avoid: death.
The idea originated in Switzerland in the 1980s and was reintroduced in the United Kingdom in 2011. Since then, it has spread worldwide. The purpose is simple: to make it easier to talk about death so we can live our lives more fully.
There is no set agenda at these gatherings. No one is selling anything, and no one is pushing you toward a conclusion. It is simply a space to share experiences, listen to others, and talk openly.
The Boise Death Café
Here in Boise, Death Cafés have been happening since 2014. That means 2024 marks ten years of conversations in our community. The first local events were organized by Susan Randall and Joyce Harvey Morgan. Today, they are carried forward by Amy Pence-Brown and a group of local facilitators who continue to create this open and welcoming space.
Four times a year, these gatherings bring together anywhere from 25 to 100 people. You will often find students, retirees, funeral professionals, hospice workers, and community members who are simply curious about the subject.
What Can You Expect?
No two Death Cafés are alike. The conversation goes wherever participants take it. Some people talk about practical matters like funeral planning, cremation, or new practices such as human composting. Others share stories about loss, grief, or caring for loved ones at the end of life. Cultural traditions and personal fears are often part of the conversation too, and many are surprised by how much laughter and lightness come into the room.
Talking about death often reminds people to focus on what makes life meaningful.
The Heart of the Movement
Boise gatherings follow the international Death Café model. Each one is not-for-profit, held in a respectful and confidential space, free from agendas, and always includes tea, coffee, and something nourishing to eat.
This is not counseling or therapy. It is about people connecting through conversation.
Why Join the Conversation?
When we talk about death, it takes away some of the fear and uncertainty. Many people leave a Death Café feeling lighter, more connected, and more inspired to live in the present. These gatherings help normalize an important subject and bring people together in community.
How to Be Part of It
Boise Death Cafés are free to attend, open to all adults, and no registration is needed. All you need is curiosity, openness, and a willingness to join the conversation.
Events are shared on the Boise Death Café Facebook page, on the international website deathcafe.com, and through a local email newsletter. If you have questions, you can reach the facilitators at deathcafeboise@gmail.com.
🎙️Listen to Senior Matters Podcast episode with host Mark E. Wight and Boise Death Cafe’s Chapter Director, Amy Pence-Brown.
