Tea and Cake to Die For

One thing we know for sure in this life is that we are all going to die someday. But for some reason, no one wants to talk about it. Over the last decade, Death Cafés have popped up across the country as a safe space for people to embrace their mortality over tea and cake. On the first Tuesday of every month, psilocybin research center Mandala Journey Work hosts a Death Café right here in Eugene. Ani Sinclair, outreach coordinator for End of Life Choices Oregon, is facilitating the upcoming Death Café. The intention of the Death Café is to increase awareness and comfort around death and help people make the most of their (finite) lives, Sinclair says. “Becoming death aware helps me live with more gratitude,” she continues. “That’s living your life knowing that your days are numbered, so you better make them count.” Although it may sound morbid, Sinclair says that at every Death Café she’s been to there is laughter and storytelling. Katie Markley, owner of Mandala Journey Work, says that each month’s event is unique and sometimes there is an invitation to sing, read a poem or play an instrument to express some aspect of death. The Death Café is not a bereavement circle, but rather a place to ponder questions such as: What is death? What would you like to happen to your body when you die? What do you believe happens when we die? If you feel prepared to discuss these questions, head to this upcoming Death Café or one of several others each month listed in the What’s Happening Calendar.

The Death Café is 6 pm to 7:30 pm Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Mandala Journey Work, 1973 Garden Avenue. Admission is FREE, but donations are accepted. Tea and snacks will be available.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!