Death Chat Geelong

We are delighted to announce at our next Cafe meeting,Wednesday 12th June 10am at Brioche Cafe Newtown, we have a special guest speaker from our local Buddhist Society.
Linda will share her knowledge of the Buddhist philosophy of the journey of the body and essence during the dying process.

"Our whole existence is determined by the elements, Earth, Fire, Water, Air and space. Through them our body is formed and sustained and when they dissolve we die."

~Sogyal Rinpoche
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

All welcome, please buy a cuppa to support the kind Cafe for our space. 🫖🌺

We hope to have a screening of this beautiful documentary of a brave soul who shares his journey of dying so stay tuned.

The Last Ecstatic Days | Trailer | Feature Documentary A film about a young man with brain cancer in search of community, and the hospice doctor who gives up everything to honor his dying wish.SUBSCRIBE: http://t...

See you this Wednesday 8th May for those interested in talking about death and dying in an intimate and safe space. Qualified End of Life Doulas available for complementary advice and information. 🌺

Today we attended a session held by Tender Funerals Geelong, their ideas and mission is based on bringing back community involvement in the process of death, dying and afterdeath rituals, e.g. Funeral and memorial services. It was lovely to meet up with many who have attended our death chat cafes in the past and present who come together to support our heartfelt beliefs to help us understand journey of Death and dying.

The Tender Funerals Story Tender Funerals is a not-for-profit funeral service model that aims to ensure all Australians can access meaningful and affordable funerals. To find out more...

We were proud and honoured to attend the annual breakfast to support our local organisation Hope Bereavement Care who give free support to those suffering a death unexpectedly.
We have had guest speakers generously chat at our cafe catch up and explain what services they offer.
Yesterday at the breakfast at Geelong Football Stadium it was heartfelt to listen to those that have been helped by Hope Bereavement, including a Mother brave to tell her story about the su***de of her teenage son.
Please support them and donate if possible, it is important right now, as they have a waiting list for the first time.
❤

All welcome to our Monthly Death Chat cafe this Wednesday 10am at Cafe Brioche Newtown Geelong.

We have some interesting conversations in store.....

This documentary introduces Stephen Jenkinson, once the leader of a Palliative care counselling team at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. Through his daytime job he has been at the deathbed of over 1,000 people.
Indicting the practice of Palliative care itself, his life's mission is to change the way we die - to turn the act of dying from denial and resistance into an essential part of Life.

DIRECTED BY TIM WILSON

Griefwalker This documentary introduces us to Stephen Jenkinson, once the leader of a palliative care counselling team at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. Through his day...

Thank you to all who have attended our last cafe catchup.🌺

Reflecting on some subjects we have covered the past 18 months so you have an idea of what we chat about.
We often have qualified guest speakers and other times we see what evolves.

~Advice on wills, power of Attorneys and legalities
~Advanced Care Directives
~Voluntary Assisted Dying
~Funeral and burial options
~Myths about cremation
~The role of palliative care and hospice
~Different experiences of the dying journey
~Support available for grieving
And more....

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There is always an End of Life Doula attending for support and answers.

Our next date is Wednesday 10th April Cafe Brioche Newtown Geelong.

All welcome to our next cafe meeting this Wednesday 13th March at 10am.

Brioche Cafe Newtown Geelong.
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A conversation worth having.

Have you talked to your loved one about their end-of-life choices? - ABC listen As Australia's population ages, our need for palliative care services is expected to double by 2050. But regardless of age, not everyone gets the same access to end-of-life care when living at home. Meanwhile, a new resource aims to help the families of those moving into aged care, so they can be re...

An alternative view. Thank you Annie.

How death can be the chance to serve others As a Buddhist, Annie Whitlocke has made one simple commitment: to put others first, holding less for oneself. It is a commitment that continued in death.

The Belmont, Newcombe and Leopold libraries in Geelong now have equipment and assistance to save your special family photos, slides and movies for future memories. You can book in online and help is available. They have orientation sessions to teach you so no prior knowledge is needed.

Note. You may feel emotional when looking at memories so take it slow and selfcare with a cuppa or a friend after.

Happy New 2024!

We are gathering for our first time this year and all are welcome to chat about Death and topics related in an intimate and safe space.

See you this Wednesday 10am which just happens to be Valentine's day!

Sharing the love!
💘

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See you this Wednesday 8th November for those interested in talking about death and dying in an intimate and safe space. Our last meeting this year. 🌺

For when your beloved pet dies. 💜

Poems for Pet Loss and Grief The love, bond, and companionship shared between people and their pets is unique and deeply felt. The loss of a pet can be heart wrenching, devastating, and isolating. It’s hard to say exactly why the…

Looking forward to catching up with you all tomorrow.
🌹

Our usual meeting of every second Wednesday of the month will be a week later on October 18th.
Hopefully we can let you know personally to remind you.

See you there at Brioche Cafe. 💜

Our monthly gathering is this Wednesday in Geelong. All welcome.
Looking forward to our guestspeaker.
Hope to see you 10am at Cafe Brioche.🌺

I have a special phone just for speaking to my loved ones.💜

Talking Out Loud to a Dead Loved One Is Actually Good for You And it's totally normal.

September 10th is World Su***de Prevention Day. Hope Bereavement Care is presenting a screening of the Australian Documentary Film – ‘This Man’s Worth’ followed by a panel discussion about the impact of su***de on those left behind.

‘This Man’s Worth’ - 'At the conclusion of fulfilling working lives, two very different men, Graeme and Michael, convinced of their loss of identity and disconnection to the world around them, decide su***de is their only option. Graeme, Sallie and others discuss the mysterious space between life and death, meaning and despair in this exploration of depression, su***de and the importance of connection and community.’

At the conclusion of the screening, join Mental Health Advocate Tony Mc Manus’(pictured), as he facilitates a discussion with filmmaker Ash Cottrell, one of the men featured in the film John Patterson; Bereaved Mother Kim Edgar; Hope Bereavement Counsellor Catharina Dumaresq; and Craig Wood from ‘Let's Talk’.

This Q&A will lead a discussion about su***de, particularly the impact on those left behind, and the hope found in community, connection and compassion.

CONTENT WARNING: This Man’s Worth explores themes around su***de. While the film is hopeful and advocates for change in this space, viewer discretion is advised. The film has been classified as rated M. Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1104315

The screening and Q&A will be held on Tuesday 12th September 6.30-8.30pm at the Pivitovian, presented by Hope Bereavement and supported by the Geelong Community Foundation and the Freemasons Foundation Victoria.

Photo supplied of Tony McManus.

We are looking forward to our next Death Chat Cafe on 13th September where we will open the conversation about Death plans. We will begin with what would you like your death space to be.

For example.
* Where. At home, hospice, hospital....
* What music to be played.
* What essential oils do you like or dislike.
* Who do you want to be with you.
* Do you like gentle touch or massage.
* What spiritual support do you require.

And many more....

Simple requests that will help your carers fulfill your wishes stress free.

Your ideas could change in years to come, this is just for now.
Forms will be provided for your notes to take home for future contemplation.

As usual qualified End of Life Doulas are here to guide you.

Thankyou today for those who attended our Death Chat Cafe ☕ this morning at Brioche Cafe Newtown with a special visit from Beth @ King's Funerals.
We discussed many topics with lots of interactions about death and dying.

Gratitude to lovely Kylie for delicious beverages.🙏☕

We have some exciting plans for our next meeting in September. Stay tuned.

💜 Robyn and Martine.

All welcome at our monthly event tomorrow, Wednesday 9th August from 10am. We will have open conversations about death and dying in a safe space.
End of life Doulas Robyn and Martine will be available for Q&A.
No cost however purchasing a cuppa from the cafe would be appreciated.
🌺

An inspiring movie about our last chapter in life is playing Wednesday June 14th. Your only chance. You might see local Geelong actors!
Say hi to some Doulas from Death Chat Geelong.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=230927262995329&id=100082341706345&mibextid=Nif5oz

GEELONG! You can still get along to a screening of 'Live the life you please' at your local Village Cinemas.

National Palliative Care Week may be over, but we know how much you want to support your local film stars Lance, Cécile, Annaliese, Russell, Alex and Leila!

So don't miss out! book your tickets: https://villagecinemas.com.au/movies/live-the-life-you-please?cinemaId=121&tab=sessions

Next meeting Wednesday 14th June 10-11.30am at Brioche Cafe 175 West Fyans Road. We are pleased to have a special guest speaker Catharina who is a grief counselor from Hope Bereavement Care Geelong who are a nonprofit support group.

All welcome, no cost, please buy a beverage to support Kylie's small business cafe.

We have shared information about advanced care planning and here is some more free advice available.
shttps://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/about-us/contact-us-

Contact us - Advance Care Planning Australia Contact us for expert advance care planning advice over the phone or online.