Death Education
Free programs on death, dying, and remembrance
If a cemetery isn’t the perfect setting for a conversation about death, what is?
It doesn’t often come up too often in small talk—it’s one of the last great taboos. Here at Green-Wood, we aim to change that. Our free public programs in death education demystify a wide range of topics relating to end of life. Scroll down for upcoming programs.
What is death education? It’s an umbrella term for studies and activities that facilitate the understanding and acceptance of death. In short, it’s all about getting comfortable with the uncomfortable universal truth of dying. It can incorporate understanding everyday practices like funerals and cremation, or exploring historical and cultural approaches to death. At Green-Wood we offer practical programs in death preparedness (including workshops on grief), lectures by academic experts in the death-positive field, programs that examine death through the lens of different cultures, and Death Cafes (informal, guided conversations about death).
Green-Wood’s death education programs are curated by Gabrielle Gatto, manager of public programs. She holds a certificate in Thanatology from The Open Center and is a graduate of the Going with Grace End of Life Training program with Alua Arthur.
Death Cafe
The Death Cafe is a simple concept. Bring strangers together to discuss one of the great universal truths: death. With thousands of chapters in over 26 countries around the world, Death Cafes are informal gatherings that aim to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.” There ... Read more
Mortality & Me: Green-Wood’s Book Club
It can be difficult to engage in conversations about death: Will I say the wrong thing? Am I going to offend someone? Who wants to discuss morbid stuff anyway? Green-Wood’s book club, Mortality & Me, helps make death, dying, and end-of-life matters easier to talk about through compelling books that tackle these topics head on. ... Read more
Grieving & Weaving
Join us as we bring together creativity and contemplation with an evening of crafting. If you like to knit, crochet, or engage in another kind of crafting, Grieving & Weaving is for you. As we create together, we’ll talk about the significance of handmade items in both our personal and collective histories. Feel free to ... Read more
Death Cafe
The Death Cafe is a simple concept. Bring strangers together to discuss one of the great universal truths: death. With thousands of chapters in over 26 countries around the world, Death Cafes are informal gatherings that aim to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.” There ... Read more
Green-Wood’s public programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, as well as the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
