Let's Talk About Death Wednesday, Jan. 23 in Winooski...

The idea of bringing people together to talk about death was originated by Swiss sociologist and anthropologist Bernard Crettaz who organized the first Café Mortel in 2004. The idea spawned an international Death Cafe movement with more than 6,000 hosted so far by various organizations around the world. 

Here in Vermont, the movement to socially de-stigmatize talk about death and dying is well underway, with many events over the past few years. In August 2018, Alexandria Kerrigan, a recent graduate of the University of Vermont's End-of-Life Doula Program, launched the first Winooski Vermont Death Café and has hosted six monthly events since, renaming the concept as Death Talks last December.

Death Talks provide a safe place for open dialogue and the philosophical exploration of themes such as mortality, the afterlife, spirituality, cultural practices, history, individual experience, and more. Death Talks is not a personal support group nor a counseling session.

On Wednesday, January 23 from 6-8 pm, Betsy Walkerman and Francesca Arnoldy of Patient Choices VT will present a session regarding Vermont's Medical Aid in Dying Law (Act 39). 

• Location: Wishbone Collective is a second-floor loft overlooking Main Street with entrance at 4 West Center Street in Winooski, Vermont.
• Light refreshments will be served.
• Donations to support the shared space are appreciated but not required.

Patient Choices Vermont provides informative and engaging speakers and is also able to facilitate discussions (stand-alone or within larger events). Please contact Francesca Arnoldy, our research and community outreach specialist, to book a customized presentation on Act 39, Vermont's Medical Aid in Dying law. 

Alexandria Kerrigan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and is pursuing a masters in social work. She has been interested and comfortable with the topic of death since childhood and has extensive personal experience with grief and loss. 

The Wishbone Collective hosts and sponsors monthly Death Talks in alignment with their mission to create a unique community space for all. 

RSVPs are not necessary but you can do so while sharing the event with friends at the Facebook event Page: Death Talks featuring Patient Choices Vermont: Act 39 Seminar.
Thanks for considering attending this community outreach event,

---