Lancashire’s first “Death Cafe” has been hailed a huge success after being held in a popular Colne venue.
The unique event at the Green Chimney, in Albert Road, was launched to encourage open discussion on life, death and dying in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
It was attended by 10 residents, aged between 18 and 74, and also aimed to “take the taboo away from death”. Among those launching the cafe was Pendle embalmer Geoff Cheesman.
Mr Cheesman (53), from Accrington, said: “We had a diverse turnout from a church minster to a follower of Paganism.
“The conversation went from assisted suicide,dying abroad, death plans,the trend towards dying at home through to people’s own experiences of death, peoples beliefs and how we can all make talking about death easier and more open.
“Everybody agreed to a follow up Death Cafe which as of yet we have no date for but is likely to be early in the New Year.”
Colne’s death cafe is officially affiliated to deathcafe.com
The first cafe was set up in Hackney by Jon Underwood in 2011, having been based on the ideas of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz.
The next Colne Death Cafe will be held at the Green Chimney on January 7th at 7pm.