Death Cafe Squamish celebrates 10 years of meaningful conversation

This November, Death Cafe Squamish celebrates 10 years of gathering together to talk about one of the most universal—and often avoided—parts of being human: death.

When I started Death Cafe Squamish in 2016, I wanted to create a space where people could come together and have honest conversations about death. There is something powerful about sitting around a table with tea and treats, often with complete strangers, talking openly about something that affects every single one of us.

Over the years, I have learned that these conversations are rarely as dark or depressing as people might imagine. They can be thoughtful, emotional, curious, meaningful and, quite often, surprisingly funny. We have talked about everything from funeral traditions and end-of-life wishes to grief, near-death experiences, fears, questions and the many different ways people make sense of mortality.

One of the things I love most about Death Cafe is that there is no agenda and no expectation that people come with answers. You are simply invited to show up, listen, share and be curious. Every gathering is different because every person brings their own experiences and perspective.

Death Cafe Squamish is part of an international movement encouraging people to talk more openly about death. But for me, it has always been about our local community and creating a welcoming space for conversations that many of us don’t otherwise have.

Over the past decade, I have been continually touched by the openness and vulnerability people bring into the room. Talking about death doesn’t make life smaller. If anything, I think it can remind us just how precious, temporary and beautiful life really is.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has joined these conversations over the past 10 years. Here’s to continuing to talk about the things that matter—and perhaps, through those conversations, learning to live a little more fully.