Wake Queer Death Cafe

A Death Cafe is a social gathering of people, often strangers from many walks of life, organized for the purpose of discussing death, without any formal agenda or commercial pressures. Anyone can attend and chat informally about different aspects of death, over tea and cake, with a goal of making the subject less taboo and scary. Death Cafes were pioneered by Jon Underwood in the U.K., based on the work of Swiss Sociologist Bernard Cretaz. First held in the U.S. by Lizzy Miles, they are now popular all over the world.

This event is free and open to the public so come on by. The November 14th Death Cafe will be facilitated by Ezra Salter and Becca Chapman:

Ezra Salter (they/them) is a Louisiana licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer practicing in New Orleans and a member of the Board of Directors of Wake; they are a former member of the New Orleans Mayor’s COVID-19 Deathcare Taskforce, a contributor to The Order of the Good Death’s end-of life planning resources for the transgender community, and a past speaker at the Green Burial Conference. Their professional focus includes advocacy for queer deathcare and green burial options in Louisiana and the preservation of historic cemeteries in New Orleans.

Becca Chapman (she/her) is the Executive Director of Prescription Joy, a healthcare clowning nonprofit in New Orleans that promotes healing through human connection and education. She is a local theatrical performer and clown who has dabbled in circus, stage combat, comedia and more! Becca is also training to be a Somatic Experience Practitioner to help heal trauma and has recently completed training to become a death doula.