Fwd: Changes to Death Cafe

Pete 🤓 and Zeke 🐶

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Mr. Pete" <peteandtess@gmail.com>
Date: September 14, 2026 at 2:19:03 PM EDT
To: Robert Miles <rmiles6514@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: Diane Swift <swiftdee90@gmail.com>, Robert Miles <rmiles6514@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: Changes to Death Cafe



Dear Bob and Diane,

My first reaction is a degree of sadness.. even though we talked about it and its inevitability, it still carries a a hint of shock… a little like death itself. You and Diane have done such a tremendous job hosting and facilitating the Death Cafe, I’m thinking I’ve been coming 3 years and you were doing it long before that. This shows the tremendous dedication that the two of you show towards the things and the people you care about. Your group brought people together in a common cause and the friendships that grew out of the monthly meetings will continue. You made it easier to talk about life’s most difficult subjects and this required and inspired the foundation of trust. You helped us realize that we are not alone in our suffering of loss but also by talking and sharing we can keep our loved ones with us.

So for everyone you helped us honor and remember, for everything you do and the meaningful and sincere way you do it…

Thank you 🙏 

Pete 🤓 and Zeke 🐶

Tess, Eric, Papa and Lee Lee, Mom and Dad

On Sep 14, 2026, at 1:23 PM, Robert Miles <rmiles6514@sbcglobal.net> wrote:



Dear friends,

After participation in the monthly Death Café meetings declined during the past several months without any new members, Diane and Bob have decided to no longer host the monthly Death Café after a final meeting on Monday, September 21^st.

Providing an opportunity to share stories about losing loved ones and recalling joyful times together has been meaningful for many of you. At the same time, the two of us have broadened our appreciation for the range of journeys people take after losing a loved one and ways we can prepare for end of life.

We see a need to continue talking about death and dying. One possibility is to incorporate the issue more prominently into the practice of Trinity Presbyterian Church, which has welcomed our monthly meetings. Bob is sharing what we have learned with the Matthew 25 social justice ministry as part of its focus on aging.

What would each of you like to see Trinity offer if we proceed with this approach? For example, the church could provide death literacy groups open to the public, sponsor speakers, and share what we have learned about loss and preparing ourselves for end of life issues. We welcome thoughts from those who have not attended recently and others who were interested but did not participate.

You may reply to this message, which we will forward, if you want to comment to the entire group.

We will hold a final meeting on Monday, September 21^st, starting at 4, to celebrate what have learned from each other and share suggestions about how we can proceed. It will be more informal than usual. We will meet in a room across the atrium from the lounge where we normally meet. Feel free to bring snacks to share.

Blessings

Diane and Bob