In a bold move that encourages open conversation about life's final stage, a Death Cafe is soon to be hosted in Glastonbury. Pioneered with the objective 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives', a Death Cafe is a social gathering where individuals, often complete strangers, assemble to partake in cake, sip tea, and discuss death.

Contrary to what the name might suggest, a Death Cafe isn't a grief counselling session or support group. Instead, it serves as a forum for group-led discussions about death, absent of any specific agenda, objectives or themes. The primary purpose is to open up a discourse about a topic often viewed as taboo, in a bid to help attendees comprehend and confront their mortality, enriching their perspective on life.

All Death Cafe sessions abide by a fundamental set of guidelines:

1. They're conducted on a not-for-profit basis.

2. The setting is accessible, confidential, and respectful.

3. There's no intent to guide attendees toward any particular conclusion, product or course of action.

4. Attendees are welcomed with refreshing beverages, nutritious food, and, naturally, cake.

In the spirit of these principles, Glastonbury's own Death Cafe is slated for 31st July. The venue is Awen Cafe, located within The Assembly Rooms starting at 1pm.

Attendees can anticipate an enlightening experience, offering a fresh outlook on the significance of acknowledging mortality.

The ultimate hope is that participants leave with a renewed appreciation for life and the preciousness of time. All are welcome to join the conversation, embrace the topic, and partake in the cake!