March’s Death Café hosted at Rosey Raveltons Books in Lawson, Blue Mountains - Dharug & Gundungurra
On a warm evening in the heart of Lawson, thirteen strangers met in a cosy bookshop café to talk about something that binds us all - death. We gathered around one long, candle-lit table, mugs of tea in hand, and a fresh chocolate cake gleaming in the centre, lovingly baked by my adorable mum and decorated with an icing sugar skull by my enthusiastic five-year-old.
It was a space to talk, to listen, and to explore the many faces of grief, love, and loss. We explored bereavement in all its forms - the slow ache of watching our parents age, the gut-wrenching loss of a beloved pet, the funerals we never got to have during Covid, and the essential role of ritual in how we navigate the end of life. Conversations flowed about Voluntary Assisted Dying laws, natural burial options in Australia, and the cultural shifts we are witnessing in how we collectively approach death and dying. It was raw. It was profound. And somehow, amongst the weight of it all, there was laughter too.
What is a Death Café?
A Death Café is a welcoming, agenda-free community gathering where people come together to talk about mortality in a safe and supportive space over cake & tea. There are no guest speakers, set topics, or professional facilitators - just an open dialogue where every voice is valued, and every perspective is welcome. It’s not a grief support group or counselling session - just an opportunity to explore life’s big questions, share thoughts, and listen, all while enjoying good company and delicious treats.
The Death Café movement began in London in 2011, founded by Jon Underwood, who was inspired by the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz. Underwood envisioned a welcoming, non-judgmental space where people could come together to talk openly about death over tea and cake—two simple ingredients that soften what is often a taboo subject. Since then, Death Cafés have spread across the world, with thousands of gatherings in homes, community centres, and bookshops just like Rosey Ravelston Books here in the Blue Mountains.
These conversations are not about pushing an agenda, giving professional advice, or forming a support group. Instead, they are about connection. The act of sharing, of being heard, of normalizing discussions around mortality is in itself a form of gentle activism - an invitation to look our fears in the eye and find solace in the company of others doing the same.
Join Us at the Next Death Cafés
Death Cafés have found a home here in the Blue Mountains, with a community eager to engage in these meaningful conversations. As featured in the Blue Mountains Gazette, the appetite for these gatherings is growing, reflecting a wider cultural shift toward reclaiming death as a natural, even sacred, part of life.
We are seeing more interest in sustainable end-of-life choices, personalized funeral ceremonies, and rituals that honour the individuality of those who have passed. People are seeking ways to be more present with their grief, to share their stories, and to build communities that support one another in life’s most inevitable transition.
If this resonates with you, you are warmly invited to join us at our upcoming Death Café gatherings at Rosey Ravelston Books. Bring your thoughts, your questions, your curiosity - and if nothing else, come for the cake.
Upcoming Dates:
- 7pm, Thursday May 1st >>
- 7pm, Thursday June 12th >>
Tickets are free but places are limited
To keep the conversation spacious, thoughtful, and personal, we limit numbers to 12 participants per session. This ensures that everyone has a chance to share and engage meaningfully with the group. While attendance is free, spots are limited, so be sure to book in advance.