Death Cafe

• In-person event
• Secular Free Event
• Light Refreshment available

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death.

Our objective is ‘to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives’.

A Death Cafe is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.

Death Cafe was founded by Jon Underwood, a beloved student at Jamyang Buddhist Centre London and a pioneer in opening up the conversation about death.

It is a group-directed discussion with no agenda or theme.

It is a secular experience.

In an accessible, respectful, and confidential space.

With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, outcome or course of action.

It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or a counselling session.

Venerable Barbara Shannon

is a fully ordained nun, former NHS nurse, and a long-standing member of the Jamyang Buddhist Centre London.

She is actively engaged in the local London communities helping people with issues around death and dying. She regularly leads the Death Cafe at Centre, with her unique and engaging style of presenting.

Diana Opio

as a trained nurse has been working in palliative care for several decades. She has also helped set up and run palliative care academic programmes in East Africa. More recently she has become increasingly interested in aspects of spirituality at the end of life and has trained as a soul midwife and has run many death cafes.

Please note:

Death Cafe is space for open and confidential discussion. It is not a bereavement counselling or support service. If you are recently bereaved and are seeking professional support, please contact your GP or a relevant service for advice, such as Cruse Bereavement Care.

The space is limited, so we suggest saving your spot ahead of time.

The event is free. Donations are welcome in support of running the Death Cafe.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Jamyang Buddhist Centre