Ahead of our FREE Death Cafe event taking place as part of Hospice Care Week, our Head of Marketing and Communications, Cat Maddy discusses how talking about death over a slice of cake and a cuppa can be just the ticket.

For many people, even the idea of talking about death and the end of life can be incredibly uncomfortable.

It’s a topic a lot of us will do everything possible to avoid acknowledging, despite some of the huge benefits of having such difficult conversations.

Here at Ashgate Hospice, we believe talking about death – whether it’s with your loved ones, friends or even your colleagues – can be one of the most important conversations to be had.

It can be as simple as chatting about the music you want to be played at your funeral or how you might like to be remembered when you’re gone.

Speaking about these things with the people who are close to us can go a long way, especially when we’re no longer around to tell them how we feel or what we might want.

For some, starting these conversations can be difficult, which is why we’ve decided to host our second Death Cafe of the year later this week.

Yes, you read that right… a Death Café! It’s a casual gathering where people can come together for open and honest conversations about death and their own mortality.

Held over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, our upcoming FREE event will take place on Saturday 14th October between 2pm and 4pm at Café One on Soresby Street in Chesterfield.

The conversation will be led by a facilitator and will become a natural exploration of thoughts and feelings about the end of life.

Reckon it all sounds a bit sad and morbid? Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth!

A Death Café is a lively conversation where people are empowered to talk about subjects that matter to them.

We know from previous events that people leave the event feeling uplifted and positive; ready to make the most of their lives.

Open and honest conversations remove the taboo around the subject of death and dying and allow people to connect with each other.

Often people think avoiding the subject will mean that it won’t happen to them. But sadly, this usually just leads to increased anxiety.

Not only does coming to terms with our mortality mean we’re more likely to live life to the full, but being open about it means we can support each other, our families and ourselves when the time comes.

Our Death Cafe isn’t a morbid concept – it’s an opportunity to share a safe space, have open and honest conversations and make the most of our finite lives.

We’re all going to die so we might as well eat cake and talk about it!

Join us at our Death Cafe, taking place on Saturday 14th October at Café One, 1 Soresby Street, Chesterfield, S40 1JW.