Demystifying Death Week 2023
Taking place across Scotland from 1-7 May, Demystifying Death Week is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. We are encouraging people to get involved by holding in-person and online events that bring death, dying and bereavement into the limelight.
Below is a list of events registered so far - these pages will be updated over the coming weeks. If you are organising an event that you'd like us to feature, please get in touch.
Moray Coast Death Cafe
Organised by Moray Coast Death Cafe
Thursday 11th May, 4pm to 6pm.
Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin IV30 1HS.
This event is open to the public.
Please join us for this very first Moray Coast Death Cafe next week in Elgin, Moray.
Come and share your stories about death, dying and the mystery of life over tea & cake in a warm and nurturing environment.
Attendance is free, with tea and cake provided.
Hosted by Katie Sharrock & Juanna Ladaga.
"Islets of Silence" at the Mitchell Library
Organised by TRAM Direct, Glasgow Libraries, Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, and the Culture & Business Fund Scotland.
24th May 2023, 1:30pm for coffee and 2:00pm start.
Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN.
This event is open to the public.
TRAM Direct in partnership with Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, Glasgow Libraries, and the Culture & Business Fund Scotland invite you to the Mitchell Library for a discussion of "Islets of Silence", a play that packs a punch on cancer diagnosis and its effects on a family.
See filmed clips of the play, meet the actors, and understand the impact on the family.
Free entry through Eventbrite for tickets.
Launch of Talking Mats Funeral Planning Resource
Organised by Talking Mats.
Tuesday 30th May, 1:30pm-2:30pm, online
This event is open to the public.
Death, dying and funeral planning are difficult to talk about, often more so if you have a communication difficulty. Talking Mats will be launching the new resource ‘Funeral Planning’ with a seminar on the 30th of May. Our new resource developed from Big Lottery Awards for All funding aims to make the process easier and more inclusive.
Our speakers will describe the development of the resource, why they felt there was a need for it and share some stories about how it has been used.
Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties by increasing their capacity to think about and communicate effectively about things that matter to them. Our innovative, award-winning communication tool is based on extensive research and was designed by Speech and Language Therapists.
Find out more about Talking Mats here, read more about the Funeral Planning resource here, and book your place at the seminar here.
Ardgowan Hospice Death Cafes
Organised by Ardgowan Hospice.
Wednesday 3rd May, 11:00-13:00 - Kilmacolm Community Centre
Thursday 4th May, 11:00-13:00 - Craigend Resource Centre
These events are open to the public.
Ardgowan Hospice will host two Death Cafe's in Inverclyde as part of Demystifying Death Week 2023.
The Death Cafe idea started in the 00s and has since spread across the world. They are an opportunity for people, often strangers, to gather round a table with a cup of tea/coffee and chat in an informal way about death with no judgement or shame.
You have the opportunity discuss your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without agenda or religious or political affiliations.
The events will be facilitated by Hospice staff to help start the conversations off, but the intention is for these to become a natural, free-form discussion.
You might chat about what you've learned about death from TV, movies, or books and how it's impacted your thinking. You can discuss what you think makes for a good death, or the song you'd like played at your funeral. Or explore topics like 'is there really a taboo about death and bereavement in Scotland?'
These are just launching points, your conversations will be unique to your day, so please drop in between 11:00-13:00 at Kilmacolm Community Centre (3rd May) or Craigend Resource Centre (4th May) for tea, coffee, cake, and a unique opportunity to discuss such a huge part of the human experience in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
St Columba’s Hospice Compassionate Neighbours visit to Binning Memorial Wood
Organised by St Columba's Hospice Compassionate Neighbours volunteers.
Wednesday 3rd May
Binning Memorial Wood, East Fenton Farm, North Berwick EH39 5AH
This event is open to the public.
The St Columba’s Hospice Compassionate Neighbours volunteers will be visiting the idyllic woodland setting of Binning Memorial Wood near North Berwick during Demystifying Death Week. They will have the opportunity to walk and explore the beautiful woods and also take part in a woodland workshop with Isla Macleod, the Hospice Community Artist.
For more information, please contact Maggie on 07785 615 028 or email myoung@stcolumbashospice.org.uk
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