About us
The Houston Death Collaborative meetup is a place for those curious about becoming “death-positive”!
What started in 2012 as a group primarily for hosting Death Cafes has expanded. We are a hub for activities in Houston that normalize talking about death and dying and foster the humanity behind our mortality.
In addition to organizing monthly Death Cafes across greater Houston, we also host other events for anyone who wishes to engage in conversations about death, and connect with others while doing so.
Upcoming events
6
Downtown Death Salon — a Happy Hour For Talking About Death! (21+)
notsuoH, 314 S. Main St, Houston, TX, US✨What is a Death Salon?
A Death Salon is meant to be a low-pressure, social way to engage with death alongside people from all walks of life. Instead of one big group discussion, Death Salons focus on smaller conversations and mingling in relaxed, welcoming spaces.If you’re familiar with the Death Café model:
- A Death Café is a group-directed discussion of death, with no set agenda or theme. The goal is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives.
- A Death Salon is its more informal cousin: still open to everyone, but structured around social connection and one-on-one conversation rather than a single group discussion.
Both share the same spirit: death isn’t just the end, it’s a part of life, and talking about it can make life richer.
Who is a Death Salon for?
If you're going to die someday, Death Salon is for you — as long as you’re 21 or older. Because our venue this month is a bar, all attendees must be 21+.Whether you’re deeply curious about mortality, just enjoy big conversations with strangers, or simply want an unusual way to spend a night out, this space is for you. All perspectives and levels of comfort are welcome.
What to expect
- Unstructured conversations — no set agenda, just free-flowing talk about death, dying, and life. We will have some conversation cards available for inspiration.
- A laid-back, 21+ happy hour vibe — you don’t need to drink alcohol, but a purchase from the bar is required to use the space.
- Small group or one-on-one chats — perfect if big group discussions aren’t your style.
- An open, respectful space for curiosity and connection.
What a Death Salon is NOT:
❌Not a grief support group — while grief may come up, this isn’t structured as counseling or therapy.
❌Not a space for advice-giving — everyone’s experience of death and life is different, and we’re here to share, not fix.
❌Not a heavy, somber event — sure, we’re talking about death, but there’s room for humor and lightness.
❌Not networking or dating — please come with openness to conversation, not ulterior motives.Logistics
Meetup spot: The 2nd floor Mezzanine- How to find us: Take the staircase near the bar up to the mezzanine — it’s the first space you’ll see. Look for the signs and a plush raven ⬛ on a table. You can’t miss us!
Cost: This event is free to attend, but a purchase from the bar is required to access the 2nd-floor space. This helps us support our hosting venue.
Parking: Street parking is free downtown after 6pm. We recommend Franklin St. for the best chance at spots, just a short walk from notsuoH.❓FAQs
“What happens at a Death Salon? I have no idea what to expect.”
Perfect — neither do we! Every conversation is unique. The goal is simply to connect and talk about the thing we all have in common: mortality.
“Do I have to drink?”
Nope! You’re welcome to order a soda or anything non-alcoholic. Just please support our host bar with a purchase.
“I get nervous in groups. Can I still come?”
Absolutely. Many attendees prefer one-on-one conversations, and this space is designed to allow for that.Disclaimers & Guidelines
- This event is 21+ only — no exceptions.
- Please use discretion when meeting/talking with ANY member of our group. We don’t recommend sharing personal info, rideshares, or other contact details with people you don’t know well.
- Do not attend if you’re feeling sick.
- This is not a therapy group or grief support — just a space for open, curious conversation.
6 attendees
Lecture: Death and the Meaning of Life
Rice University - Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX, USFREE PUBLIC LECTURE: "Some think that death robs life of all meaning. Yet others think that death is what gives life meaning. Is either true? Does the fact that we are going to die affect the way we should live? If so, how? Would it be better if certain aspects of death were different?
"Join the Department of Philosophy in the School of Humanities and Arts to explore these questions and more. All members of the Rice University community and public are invited.
"This lecture series is made possible by the Kural Ethics Lab, named for the classic Tamil text Tirukkural (often referred to the “Kural”). The lab aims to advance scholarship and teaching in ethics. The Kural’s emphasis on a secular approach to ethics aligns with and builds upon Rice’s strengths in both applied and theoretical moral philosophy."
Shelly Kagan is the Clark Professor of Philosophy at Yale University. Kagan’s main research interests lie in moral philosophy, and in particular, normative ethics. Much of his work centers on the debate between consequentialist and deontological moral theories, with publications on the nature of well-being, moral desert, utopia, and the connections between Kantianism and consequentialism.
Rice event page and registration: https://events.rice.edu/event/kural-lecture-death-and-the-meaning-of-life
Glasscock School on the Rice Interactive Map: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!m/126061?s/Glasscock%20School
Campus parking: https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates
15 attendees
Past events
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