FAQ
What is Room for Dying?
Room for Dying is an ongoing project within my studio practice that explores death awareness, mortality acceptance, and meaningful conversation about life, death, and legacy.
It isn’t a single program or product. It’s a framework for inquiry that shows up through facilitated conversations, reflective experiences, and writing. The work is rooted in the belief that making room for conversations about death can help us me live with greater clarity, honesty, and intention. I’ve found that sharing this journey with others amplifies the benefits.
Offerings such as Death Cafés and The Obituary grow out of this project.
What is a Death Café?
A Death Café is a facilitated group conversation where people gather to talk openly about death and mortality. There is no agenda, no therapy, and no belief system being promoted.
The purpose is to create a respectful, confidential space for honest conversation, listening, and reflection. Death Cafés are discussion-based and community-centered, not instructional.
Who is a Death Café for?
Death Cafés are for anyone curious about death, dying, or how awareness of mortality shapes the way we live.
They are often attended by:
People who want to talk about death in a normal, human way
Those who have experienced loss, and those who haven’t
Caregivers, creatives, thinkers, and curious minds
People who feel these conversations are missing from everyday life
You do not need to be grieving, ill, or facing the end of life to attend. There is no expectation to share more than you wish.
What is The Obituary?
The Obituary is a guided reflective writing experience that invites you to explore the story of your life through the lens of impermanence.
Over the course of approximately two hours, you’re guided through a series of reflective questions that explore your values, relationships, choices, and the ways you’ve shown up in the world. One section of the experience includes writing a version of your own obituary—not as a final statement, but as a reflective exercise.
This portion is designed to help clarify what feels essential, what you want to be known for, and what no longer belongs. Many participants find that imagining how their life might be summarized brings surprising clarity about how they want to live now.
The Obituary will be offered as a pre-recorded, self-guided experience through INTERVAL PAPER (details forthcoming).
How are Death Cafés and The Obituary different?
Both engage with mortality, but in different ways.
Death Cafés are conversational and communal. They focus on shared dialogue, listening, and collective reflection.
The Obituary is personal and reflective. It centers on guided writing and individual inquiry.
Some people participate in one, others in both. Neither requires the other.
Questions That Apply to Both Experiences
Do I need to be grieving or facing a terminal diagnosis?
No. While grief or illness can bring people to this work, both Death Cafés and The Obituary are designed for people at any stage of life. Many participants come simply because they want to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most in the supportive company of others.
Isn’t this kind of morbid or depressing?
That’s a common assumption. In practice, many people describe these experiences as grounding, clarifying, and affirming. Engaging with mortality often sharpens perspective and gratitude. The focus isn’t on death for its own sake, but on living with greater awareness.
What if thinking about death makes me uncomfortable?
That response is entirely normal. Both experiences are designed to be invitational and paced. You’re never forced to share or go deeper than feels right. Many people find that giving space to these thoughts reduces fear rather than intensifying it.
What if I’m not good with words?
There is no expectation of polish or performance.
At Death Café, listening is as valued as speaking.
For The Obituary, the writing is for you, not an audience.
I don’t think I have anything meaningful to say about my life. Is this still for me?
Yes. That hesitation is very common. Meaning often reveals itself through ordinary moments, values, and relationships once we slow down enough to notice.
Do I need to share my thoughts or reflections?
No. Sharing is always at your discretion.
At Death Café, you may speak or simply listen.
For The Obituary, everything you write is yours to keep.
Some people later choose to share parts of their reflections with loved ones; others do not.
Where does INTERVAL PAPER fit in?
INTERVAL PAPER is the publishing studio I co-founded and an experiential space where offerings like The Obituary and Death Cafés will be available in structured, accessible formats.
Room for Dying remains rooted in my artist practice, while INTERVAL PAPER provides a more public-facing home for experiences that grow out of that work.
How will I know when The Obituary is available?
Details about the release of The Obituary will be shared through the INTERVAL PAPER newsletter as well as my studio Substack: Emanations. You are welcome to subscribe to one or the other.
What is your background and approach?
My work is informed by both personal experience and formal training. I completed End-of-Life doula training through INELDA and have a decade-long contemplative practice rooted in mindfulness.
As an artist and facilitator, I focus on creating clear, supportive structures for reflection and conversation, grounded in care, presence, and respect for each person’s lived experience.
Where can I find additional resources or support?
If your interest in this work connects to grief, caregiving, illness, or emotional strain, you may find it helpful to explore additional support alongside these experiences.
I maintain a list of resources related to death awareness, end-of-life care, grief, and reflective practice. You can find these resources on this page.
If you’re in crisis or need immediate support, please reach out to a trusted professional or local support service like GriefShare.