Grief Coffee Talks
Creating gentle, brave spaces for real conversations about death, loss, and grief
The Story Behind Our Gatherings
After years of hosting Death Cafes in Toronto, where we hosted hundreds of people in powerful conversations about mortality, we witnessed firsthand the profound need for spaces where people can speak openly about death, dying, and grief. These sacred conversations and the beloved, brave souls who gathered remain with me today.
And while Death Cafes offered beautiful opportunities for non-facilitated discussions, we envisioned something that would blend community dialogue with gentle guidance and educational elements.
What Makes Grief Coffee Talks Unique
Our monthly virtual gatherings build upon the foundational wisdom of the Death Cafe movement while offering a slightly different approach:
Professional facilitation to help guide and deepen conversations
Brief educational components to enhance grief literacy
Structured space that remains organic and responsive
Integration with our broader grief support community
Focus on both death awareness and unique grief experiences
The Format
Each 60-minute gathering includes:
Opening grounding practice
Brief educational offering
Facilitated group discussion
Shared resources and practical tools
Closing ritual
What to Bring
Your favourite warm beverage
An open heart
Any questions or experiences you'd like to share
Notebook for personal reflections (optional)
Tissues (conversations can touch tender places)
A Note About Death Cafes
We honour and appreciate the Death Cafe movement, which continues to offer vital spaces for mortality conversations worldwide. If you're interested in attending a Death Cafe, we encourage you to visit deathcafe.com to find gatherings in your area. These volunteer-led, non-facilitated discussions offer their own unique and valuable experience.
Our Commitment
At Grief Coffee Talks, we commit to:
Creating brave, confidential spaces
Honouring all grief experiences
Welcoming diverse perspectives
Holding space without trying to fix
Supporting authentic connection
Providing evidence-based resources
Join Us
Whether you're:
Grieving a recent or past loss
Curious about death and mortality
Supporting others through grief
Working to build grief literacy
Seeking community around these topics
There's space for you here.
Special Invitation to Our First Gathering
Date: Wednesday, December 11th
Time: 6pm CT / 7pm ET
Theme: Grief During the Holidays
Join us for this special first gathering where we'll explore the unique challenges and emotions that arise when navigating grief during the holiday season. The festive period can amplify our sense of loss and bring complex feelings to the surface. Together, we'll:
Share strategies for managing holiday expectations
Discuss ways to honour our grief while participating in celebrations
Explore how to communicate our needs to friends and family
Create space for both joy and sorrow
Learn practical tools for self-care during this sensitive time
This inaugural session is open to all members of our community. It's an opportunity to experience the gentle, supportive environment that defines our Grief Coffee Talks.
Registration
Open to all for this first session
Mark your calendar for December 11th (when you get the Zoom confirmation you can easily add to your calendar)
Zoom space opens 10 min before the hour so we can begin on the hour
Bring your favourite evening beverage
Registration is required for each subsequent monthly session. While our first gathering is open to all, subsequent sessions will be available to paid subscribers ($8/month or $80/year) or through our website under Events ($5/session).
Note: These gatherings are not therapy sessions but rather educational and community-building spaces. If you're seeking professional support, we're happy to provide referrals to qualified grief counsellors.
