Breathing Life into Death - Death Cafe Series: September 2026

Talking about death is a natural part of life and our monthly meetings are held to open conversations, to dispel the taboo, provide positive awareness and information to support end of life planning and live your life fully.

In a welcoming and safe space, life affirming conversations are opened, knowledge and information are shared, and questions are asked by strangers who become friends. Topics include burial options, sustainability, advanced care planning, dying at home, living wakes, death doulas and a whole lot more.

Because talking about death helps us live well!

Held on Fridays (usually the 4th Friday/month) between 10am- 12noon.

This is a partnership between Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils in conjunction with SESLHD.

The session will be co-facilitated by:

Joanna McIIveen

Public Health Palliative Care Project Lead - The BEACON Project (Building End of Life Awareness, Compassion & Outreach Networks) withing the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

Arianne Lazar

Acting Grief and Bereavement Coordinator within the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

Age Suitability: 18+

Warning Details: Will contain adult themes and death themes (death and dying will be discussed).

This is not a grief counselling session.

This is a partnership between Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils in conjunction with SESLHD.

FAQ:

Can I arrive late?

To respect everyone's time, these Death Cafes run to time. promptly starting at 10am and finish at midday. Give yourself enough time to get a cuppa from the cafe downstairs so you can be seated by 9.50am for 10am start. Late arrival is disruptive to the group.

Are Death Cafe's a new thing?

No, the Death Cafe is a world-wide movement that was started by Jon Underwood in 2011. Death Cafes are hosted in over 90 countries.

What do you talk about at a death Cafe?

Relevant and suitable topics are all things around death, dying and end of life. The aim of Death Cafes is to increase death literacy and to create awareness around death. It is not morbid, dark or negative, in fact there is generally lots of laughter.

Do I have to talk and share?

No, there is no pressure to share. There is an opportunity to introduce yourself at the beginning of the event, but there is no pressure.

Is it like grief counselling?

No, a Death Cafe is not therapy or counselling, or a replacement for therapy or counselling. Despite talking about death-related topics, conversations are kept quite light.

I work in the death sector can I come and promote my business?

No, a Death Cafe is not the place to come to promote your business or to network. It is a community event for members of the community to come to share experiences, ask questions and potentially learn new things.

If I attend more than one death cafe, will the same things be spoken about?

No. Every Death Cafe is as unique as a fingerprint. Depending on who attends and what they bring with them on the day will determine the conversations, questions and discussions.

How do I find you?

The Mill Hill Centre is located at 33 Spring Street Bondi Junction. It is located 5 mins from Bondi Junction Transport interchange. It is in the block between Newland and Denison streets.