What we’re about
Led by the Doyenne of Death, Gail Rubin, the Albuquerque Death Cafe is a safe, inviting forum for those who want to talk about death and dying. The objective of Death Cafe is “To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” It’s all about an interesting, unstructured conversation – open and free-flowing with no specific agenda. The Death Cafe concept was started in the United Kingdom by Jon Underwood. He was influenced by the ideas of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, who started holding Cafe Mortel events in France and Switzerland. At these events, people come together in a relaxed, confidential and safe setting to discuss death, drink tea (or your favorite beverage) and eat delicious cake or cookies. Gail is the host of the "A Good Goodbye" radio and TV show (now available on DVD) and the website agoodgoodbye.com.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Saturday Night Special Mortality Movie: True Story Funeral ComedyTBA Upon RSVPing , Albuquerque , NM
It's summertime, and Death Cafe/Mortality Movie host Gail Rubin has an outdoor movie projection system! You are invited to come to her home for a Saturday night outdoor screening of a Mortality Movie. We'll watch a film related to end-of-life issues and have a short discussion afterwards.
For this Saturday night special home screening, we'll look at Get Low (2009 – PG-13, 1hr. 43 min.) This film is based on a true story of a man who threw his own funeral party while he was still alive. Set in the 1930s, it provides a glimpse into the evolution of the funeral business and shows the elements of planning and implementing an unorthodox funeral. Stars Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek.
The event is free, popcorn and chocolate will be served! Hope to see you there!
- Mortality Movie Night: Ghosts and Estate PlanningFrench Funerals-Cremations, Albuquerque, NM
Death Cafe host Gail Rubin also hosts a TV series called Mortality Movies as well as Mortality Movie Nights. Watch a film related to end-of-life issues and stick around for discussion afterwards. These Movie Nights started in the living room at Gail's house, and grew to be so popular, they are now held in the chapel at French Funerals & Cremations at 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, just east of Eubank.
For this Mortality Movie Night on August 5, we'll watch The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). On the surface, it’s a ghost story-slash-love story—but at its soul, it’s about estate planning, autonomy in life, acceptance of death, and the enduring presence of love beyond the grave. My favorite quote: “I didn’t leave a will.” “Why not?” “Because I didn’t expect to kick the blasted gas on with my blasted foot!”
The event is free, popcorn and chocolate will be served! Hope to see you there!
