Orange County Death Cafe SEPT 17 2025

Join us at Endswell Funeral Home on September 17th from 6-8PM for a potluck and open discussion with the community around your questions about death and dying.

Notes from the Orange County Death Café, September 17, 2025

Facilitated by Heather Hill

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

There are now 8 Death Cafés in Durham and Orange Counties:

–Orange County Death Café: 1st Thursday each month, 6:00-8:00pm – Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough. Moderator: James McKelvey. Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/.

–Hillsborough Death Café: 2nd Monday each month, 5:45-7:45pm – 903 Eno Street, Hillsborough, facilitated by: Neidra Clark. Register by contacting Neidra at neidra@mindspring.com.

–Death Café Noire: 2nd Saturday each month, 2:00-4:00pm – meeting via Zoom, facilitated by: Traci Hathaway. Contact her at hathaway2b@gmail.com Registration is not needed.

–Daylight Death Café: 3rd Monday each month, 9:30-11:00am – Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, facilitated by John Chase. Register by contacting the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070.

–Orange County Death Café: 3rd Wednesday each month, 6:00-8:00pm – Endswell FH, 407 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough. Facilitated by: Sara Williams, Registration at https://endswellfuneralhome.com/news-and-events/.

–Southwest Durham Death Café: 4th Monday each month, 5:30-7:30pm – Southwest Regional Library, Shannon Road, Durham. Facilitated by: Kathy Rudy Ph.D. Registration is not needed.

–LGBTQ+ Death Café: 4th Thursday each month, 1:30-3:00pm – Seymour Center, Chapel Hill. Facilitated by: Tsyr Han Chow. Register by contacting the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070.

–Pagan Death Café: 4th Saturday each month, 4:00pm – 3800 N Roxboro St., Panera Bread

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Our facilitator at this meeting was Heather Hill, funeral director at Endswell.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

-Jeopardy with Sara Williams: Thursday, October 9, 6:00-7:30. Endswell FH, 407
Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough. Register at
https://endswellfuneralhome.com/calendar/funeral-jeopardy-with-sara-williams-oct-9-
2025/

–Info. Session & Lunch: Thursday, October 16, 11:30am-1:00pm, Endswell FH, 407
Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough. Learn about green funeral options at Endswell Funeral
Home and enjoy some lunch! Reserve your spot at:
https://endswellfuneralhome.com/calendar/information-session-oct-16-2025/

–Speaker Series: Matt Zemon – Psychedelics for Living & Dying: October 22, 6:00-
7:30pm, Durham Public Library, downtown Durham. Special guest Matt Zemon shares
what he has learned about psychedelic medicine through personal experience and
scientific research. Matt brings the ideals of purpose, meaning, and connection to the
conversation surrounding end of life experiences. Come join us and learn more about
emerging opportunities in this developing field that can help ease the stress of death
and dying for all. Register at: https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/14879220

CONVERSATIONS:

–“Died in Silence” refers to the death of an individual who has refused to speak of their impending death with anyone

–NC is a home funeral-friendly state. Dead bodies do not need to be embalmed, families can transport their own dead, you are not required to use a funeral director, you are allowed to purchase goods and services from a funeral home a la carte.

–Green Burials. Yes, you can bury someone in your backyard. No embalming, no vault, no impervious containers. Check with your public health department or zoning department.

–Pre-plan: Don’t leave a mess for your loved ones to deal with on one of the worst days of their life. Know what you want, write it down, and tell your family what the plan is.

BOOKS:

–Home Funeral Guide and Resources, This book takes the place of Undertaken
with Love, which was mentioned at this Death Café.
https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-guidebook.html