Death Collaborative

Talking about death won’t kill you, so come along to a death café!
All are welcome to our discussion circle on death (and life).

We meet on the third Saturday of every month at the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.

There will be coffee and cookies, and anyone wishing to bring along treats to share is welcome to do so!

How to find us:
Drive in at the National Museum of Funeral History entrance, and follow the parking lot around to the back to park closer to the door to enter the school. You will find signs on the doors with our Death Café logo to guide you and a friendly face to greet you!
If you enter through the museum, signs will guide you along the way; be prepared for a longer walk.
Any difficulty finding us, please ask the museum front desk staff for help to get to the room for Death Café.

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Beyond Death Café - North Houston is part of the larger international social franchise movement of Death Cafés. We welcome all members, old and new.

A Death Café is a group-directed discussion of death with no preset agenda, objectives, or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session, and not affiliated with any specific faith or belief system.

At a Death Café, people, often strangers, gather to eat treats and discuss death.

Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives'.

We're going a little wild and tossing out the rulebook for a traditional Death Café. Think of this as Death Café's fun, slightly rebellious cousin.

Along with honest conversations about death, dying, grief, and legacy, we'll also have card games, time to mingle and network, opportunities to share resources, and conversations about preplanning services and connecting with the people and tools that can support your end-of-life journey.

Death Saloon is a welcoming space for real conversation in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Whether you're here to share your story, ask questions, learn something new, or simply listen, you're invited to show up just as you are. We ask everyone to honor one another's experiences, listen with curiosity rather than judgment, and help create a space where every conversation is treated with compassion and respect.

Because we'll be gathering at a brewery, alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. If you choose to drink, we ask that you do so responsibly and help preserve the thoughtful, supportive atmosphere we're creating together. Please also plan ahead for a safe trip home if needed, whether that's a designated driver, rideshare, or other transportation.

Death is serious. Talking about it doesn't always have to be.

Shane Cowles is a disabled combat veteran who brings a grounded, service-driven perspective to end-of-life work and community dialogue. He serves as a host for Beyond Legacy: Death Saloon and as a member of the Beyond Legacy board, where he helps foster open, respectful conversations about death, dying, and legacy.

Meet at: Pizza & Pints, look for our signs!

A “Death Cafe” is a place to talk candidly and personally about death, while eating cake and drinking tea (hence the cafe). There is no set agenda, the group does not talk about legal matters, suggest actions or solutions, or promote any products or services.

Death Cafe Specifically for Atheists is a safe space to discuss how we feel about death from a secular lens. We want to try to understand how death affects our view of life and what it means to live without a promise of a life after death. We try to avoid politics, leave our jobs at the door, and encourage everyone to speak for themselves. Come and join the lively discussion!

It’s important to note that while discussions of suicide tend to come up during discussions of death, we approach this topic intellectually and do not endorse the taking of one’s own life. We are not a therapy group and do not have licensed therapy leaders. If you are struggling with dark feelings, please reach out to the crisis hotline at 988.

Plenty of street parking around the area.