Death Café: Putting the Tea into Mortality

A Death Café is a warm, open space where people come together to talk about one of life’s most universal, yet often avoided, topics: death. But it’s not a morbid affair! Instead, it’s an opportunity for honest, non-judgmental conversation in a relaxed setting, usually over a cup of tea or coffee and cake. The idea is to break down the taboos and fears around death, allowing people to share thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences about mortality.
Imagine sitting in a cosy space, sipping a cuppa, in the company of others who are curious or reflective about death, dying, and bereavement. There’s no agenda, and no religious or spiritual doctrine pushing an answer. Instead, it’s a chance to explore everything from personal grief to existential musings to the logistics of end-of-life planning. The conversations are as varied as the people who attend.
A Death Café isn’t about “solving” death, but about embracing its inevitable presence with a sense of connection, vulnerability, and sometimes even humour. It’s a safe space where no topic is off-limits, whether it’s sharing stories of loved ones who have passed, unpacking fears of the unknown, or contemplating the cultural practices around death. It’s a community-driven experience that highlights how talking about death can ultimately help us live more fully.
This session will be facilitated by Lara Celini (Community Engagement Manager and celebrant with Humanist Society Scotland) at Typewronger Books. So come along and reclaim death as part of life. We can all benefit from being more comfortable having these conversations.
This event is part of Demystifying Death Week (which runs from 4-10 May 2026) and is about giving people knowledge, skills, and opportunities to plan and support each other through death, dying, loss, and care.
Please note that a death café is not a bereavement or grief support resource and we advise that you do not attend if you have been very recently bereaved or if your grief feels very raw.Humanist Society Scotland is Scotland’s national humanist charity. A member-powered organisation campaigning to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country: from assisted dying to LGBT+ rights and much more. Our celebrants ensure that people across Scotland have access to humanist weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies. Please note that this Death Cafe is open to people of all faiths and none. You are all very welcome to talk about this most universal of topics that affects us all - mortality and death. Touching upon the core of the human experience.

And because it was popular last year, here's a link to These Are My Wishes: Planning your own Funeral, a free resource which aims to support individuals to start important discussions with loved ones and encourage more open conversations around death and our wishes after we die. It is designed to help you make your wishes known, easing the burden on your loved ones, and ensuring that your life is celebrated in the way you want it to be.

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