Two Murdoch University academics have set up a Death Café on the University’s Perth campus because they want Australians to talk more about end of life matters.
The Murdoch Death Café will next meet on Thursday 9 May at Sir Walter’s Cafe, from 3pm.
Counselling lecturer Dr Margaret Sealey and nursing lecturer Dr Ruth Wei say death and grief could be easier on individuals and their loved ones if dying and the end of life were not such taboo subjects.
“People in Australia tend to be death phobic,” Dr Sealey said.
Australia has become more of a secular society where for many religion has been replaced by football, cricket, beer and shopping.
“While there is nothing wrong with this, it means that some people are not looking to religion anymore to explain or provide comfort in death.
“Our own research and experiences as practitioners and educators have shown us that, on the whole, Australians are not willing to discuss death either.
“The Death Cafe initiative is helping to address this.”
Worldwide movement
The worldwide Death Café movement encourages strangers to gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death, whether that be palliative care options or experiences of scattering ashes.
Death Café was founded by Jon Underwood based on the work of Bernard Crettaz. The first took place in London in 2011, and since then the movement has spread across Europe, North America and Australasia. There are currently more than 300 Death Cafés operating across Australia, including several in Western Australia.
Drs Sealey and Wei are hoping the Murdoch Death Café will attract not only university students and staff but also people from the wider community.
“We hope it will raise awareness of certain issues and options related to death and relevant health services available for patients and families, such as palliative care,” said Dr Wei.
Dr Sealey added that her research had shown that Australian society lagged behind others like the UK with regard to palliative care because there was a stigma attached.
“Palliative care can help patients and their families have the best end of life experience possible,” she said. “But I found that many are not made aware of palliative care options in Western Australia.”
There is more information about the Murdoch event on the Death Café website.